UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

GHFT-OF1 

i  COL.  T,  H.    r- 

C/ass 


X 


REPORT 

*^i~^1 


OF  THE  ,, 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD 


ORGANIZED    BY 


THE    PRESIDENT 


IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  • 


ACT  OF  CONGRESS  APPROVED  MARCH  3,  1883. 


WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT   PRINTING  OFPIOB. 
1884. 


CONTENTS. 


Page. 

REPORT 7 

ENGLAND 8 

Sources  from  which  the  armament  of  England  is  supplied 8 

Elswick 10 

Woolwich 11 

Steel  manufacturers 12 

Condition  of  steel  manufacture 13 

Whit  worth's  Works 14 

Basic  Process 16 

Present  condition  of  the  English  artillery 18 

Material 19 

Construction 20 

Breech-closing 20 

Gas-check 21 

Vent 21 

Form  of  chamber 21 

Rifling 21 

Rotating  rings 21 

Wire  construction 21 

FRANCE 22 

Sources  from  which  the  armament  of  France  is  supplied 22 

Bourges 24 

Ruelle 24 

Condition  of  steel  manufacture 25 

St.  Chamond 25 

Le  Creusot 26 

Terre-Noire 28 

Present  condition  of  French  artillery 30 

Material 31 

Construction 31 

Breech-fermeture 33 

Gas-check 33 

Rifling 33 

Rotating  rings 33 

Wire  construction 33 

GERMANY 34 

RUSSIA 35 

Sources  from  which  the  armament  of  Russia  is  supplied 35 

Russian  artillery  gun  factory 36 

Aboukhoff  Works 36 

Condition  of  steel  manufacture 37 

Present  condition  of  Russian  artillery 37 

Construction 38 

Rotating  rings 38 

5 


O  REPORT    OF    GUN    FOUNDRY  .BOARD. 

REPORT— Continued. 

THE  UNITED  STATES 39 

Sources  from  which  the  armament  of  the  United  States  is  supplied 39 

Condition  of  steel  manufacture 39 

Present  condition  of  the  artillery  of  the  United  States 39 

COST  OF  PLANT  FOR  THE  MANUFACTURE  OF  GUNS 40 

Machines  and  tools  for  steel  plant 40 

Machines  and  tools  for  gun  factory 42 

Buildings 44 

GENERAL  SUMMARY ^ 46 

Selected  sites  for  gun  factories 49 

J±  IP  IP  E  NT3  ICES. 

A. — Copy  of  circular  letter  to  steel  manufacturers 55 

B. — Circular  letter  to  South  Boston  Iron  Company  and  to  Paulding,  Kemhle 

&  Co 55 

C. — Letter  from  Naylor  &  Co.,  Boston,  Mass 56 

D.— Letter  from  Paulding,  Kemble  &  Co.,  West  Point,  N.  Y 5G 

E.— Letter  from  Park,  Brother  &  Co. ,  Pittsburgh,  Pa 56 

F.— Letter  from  South  Boston  Iron  Works,  Boston,  Mass 57 

G.— Letter  from  Pittsburgh  Steel  Works,  Pittsburgh,  Pa 57 

H. — Letter  from  Midvale  Steel  Company,  Nicetowu,  Philadelphia,  Pa 57 

I,— Letter  from  Park,  Brother  &  Co. ,  Pittsburgh,  Pa 58 

J.— Letter  from  Springfield  Iron  Company,  Springfield,  111 58 

K. — Letter  from  South  Boston  Iron  Works,  Boston,  Mass 59 

L. — Letter  from  West  Point  Foundry  Association,  West  Point,  N.  Y 60 

M. — Letter  from  Cambria  Iron  Company,  Johnstown,  Pa  1 60 

N.— Letter  from  Cambria  Iron  Company,  Johnstown,  Pa 61 

O. — Letter  to  Fried.  Krupp's  Cast  Steel  Works,  Essen,  Germany 63 

P. — Letter  from  same 63 

Q. — Letter  from  same 64 

R.— Telegram  to  same 64 

S. — Letter  to  same  64 

T. — Letter  from  same 65 

U. — Letter  from  same 65 

V. — Letter  to  same  66 

RECORD  OE  FROCBEDIlSr&S..  71 


48TH  CONGRESS,  \  HOUSE  OF  EEPEESENTATIVES.      f  Ex.  Doc. 

1st  Session.       f  \   No.  97. 


KEPOET  OF  GUN  FOUNDEY  BOAED. 


Of  THE 

UNIVERSITY 


MESSAGE 

FROM    THE 


PRESIDENT  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES, 


TRANSMITTING 


A  report  of  the  Board  of  Army  and  Navy  Officers  relative  to  the  best 
location  for  establishing  a  Government  foundry. 


FEBRUARY  20, 1884. — Referred  to  the  Committee  on  Appropriations  and  ordered  to  be 

printed. 


To  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives : 

I  transmit  herewith  to  the  House  of  Eepresentatives  the  report  of  a 
Board  of  Army  and  Navy  Officers,  appointed  by  me  in  accordance  with 
the  act  of  Congress  approved  March  3,  1883 — 

For  the  purpose  of  examining  and  reporting  to  Congress  which  of  the  navy-yard» 
or  arsenals  owned  by  the  Government  has  the  best  location  and  is  best  adapted  for 
the  establishment  of  a  Government  foundry,  or  what  other  method,  if  any,  should  be 
adopted  for  the  manufacture  of  heavy  ordnance  adapted  to  modern  warfare,  for  the 
use  of  the  Army  and  Navy  of  the  United  States;  the  cost  of  all  buildings,  tools,  and 
implements  necessary  to  be  used  in  the  manufacture  thereof,  including  the  cost  of  a 
steam-hammer  or  apparatus  of  sufficient  size  for  the  manufacture  of  the  heaviest 
guns. 

CHESTEE  A.  AETHUE. 

EXECUTIVE  MANSION, 

February  18,  1884. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

1727  Pine  Street,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  February  16,  1884. 
To  the  President: 

In  accordance  with  your  instructions  of  April  2,  1883,  issued  under 
the  provision  of  section  1  of  the  "Act  making  appropriations  for  the 
naval  service  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1884,  and  for  other 
purposes,"  approved  March  3,  1883,  the  Board,  composed  of  six  officers 
selected  from  the  Army  and  Navy,  "  for  the  purpose  of  examining  and 
reporting  to  Congress  which  of  the  navy-yards  or  arsenals  owned  by 
the  Government  has  the  best  location  and  is  best  adapted  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  a  Government  foundry,  or  what  other  method,  if  any, 
should  be  adopted  for  the  manufacture  of  heavy  ordnance  adapted  to 


Z  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

modern  warfare,  for  the  use  of  the  Army  and  Navy  of  the  United 
States;  the  cost  of  all  buildings,  tools,  and  implements  necessary  to  be 
used  in  the  manufacture  thereof,  including  the  cost  of  a  steam-hammer 
or  apparatus  of  sufficient  size  for  the  manufacture  of  the  heaviest  guns," 
has  the  honor  to  submit  herewith  its  report  and  the  record  of  its  pro- 
ceedings. 

In  order  to  reply  satisfactorily  to  the  act  of  Congress,  it  was  neces- 
sary for  the  Board  to  seek  information  in  Europe,  and  visits  were  made 
to  England,  France,  and  Eussia.  It  is  appropriate  to  state  that  your 
Board  was  received  by  both  Government  officials  and  by  private  com- 
panies with  much  cordiality,  and  every  assistance  was  rendered  in  its 
investigations  in  those  countries. 

It  was  the  desire  of  the  Board  also  to  visit  the  large  German  steel 
works  at  Essen,  but  the  permission  to  do  so,  which  was  requested  of 
Mr.  Fried.  Krupp,  was  not  granted  for  reasons  that  will  be  found  stated 
in  the  copy  of  correspondence  attached  to  this  report. 

The  Board,  having  completed  its  duties,  has  adjourned  sine  die. 
Yery  respectfully,  for  the  Board, 

E.  SIMPSON, 
Rear- Admiral,  United  States  Navyy  President  of  the  Board. 


REPORT 

OF   THE 

GUN    FOUNDRY    BOARD. 


The  act  of  Congress,  approved  March  3,  1883,  under  which  the  Gun 
Foundry  Board  was  organized,  calls  for  a  report  on  the  following 
points : 

1st.  Which  of  the  navy-yards  or  arsenals  owned  by  the  Government  has  the  best 
location,  and  is  best  adapted  for  the  establishment  of  a  Government  foundry. 

2d.  What  other  method,  if  any,  should  be  adopted  for  the  manufacture  of  heavy 
ordnance  adapted  to  modern  warfare,  for  the  use  of  the  Army  and  Navy  of  the  United 
States. 

3d.  The  cost  of  all  buildings,  tools,  and  implements  necessary  to  be  used  in  the 
manufacture  thereof,  including  the  cost  of  a  steam-hammer  or  apparatus  of  sufficient 
size  for  the  manufacture  of  the  heaviest  guns. 

The  first  question  presupposes  the  establishment  of  a  Government 
Gun  Foundry,  properly  so  called,  the  establishment  to  be  under  the 
absolute  control  of  the  Government,  and  the  details  of  all  work  to  be 
supervised  and  directed  by  Government  officers. 

The  answer  to  this  question  involves  simply  an  expression  of  opinion 
as  to  the  superior  adaptability,  for  the  purposes  of  a  gun  foundry,  of 
any  navy-yard  or  arsenal  now  owned  by  the  Government. 

The  second  question  imposes  no  limitation,  and  calls  upon  the  Board 
to  suggest  "any  other  method"  (apart  from  a  Government  foundry, 
pure  and  simple)  by  which  the  purposes  of  the  act  of  Congress  can  be 
achieved.  The  Board  is  evidently  called  upon  to  consider  the  subject 
of  joint  action  between  the  Government  and  private  parties  for  the  ac- 
complishment of  a  national  purpose. 

The  Board  decided  that  there  were  three  points  of  view  from  which 
this  subject  should  be  considered,  viz : 

1st.  That  the  Government  should  supplement  the  plants  of  some  of  the  steel  workers 
of  the  country  with  such  additional  tools  and  implements  as  would  enable  them  to 
turn  out  finished  steel  cannon. 

2d.  That  the  Government  should  give  contracts  of  sufficient  magnitude  to  enable 
the  steel  workers  of  the  country  to  supply  the  finished  guns  without  its  direct  aid. 

3d.  That  the  Government  should  establish  on  its  own  territory  a  plant  for  the  fab- 
rication of  cannon,  and  should  contract  with  private  parties  to  such  amounts  as  would 
enable  them  to  supply  from  the  private  industries  of  the  country  the  forged  and  tem- 
pered material. 

The  course  of  the  investigation  being  thus  indicated,  the  Board  ad- 
dressed circular  letters  to  several  of  the  steel  manufacturers  in  the 
country  and  to  the  two  companies  employed  in  the  fabrication  of  can- 
non. These  letters  and  the  replies  thereto  will  be  found  in  the  corre- 
spondence attached  to  the  record  of  proceedings  of  the  Board,  and 
copies  are  appended  to  this  report.  The  replies  were  unsatisfactory, 
the  subject  being  a  new  one  to  the  parties  addressed.  The  expense  to 
be  incurred  could  not  be  calculated  upon  any  known  basis,  and  the 

7 


8  REPORT    OF    GUN    FOUNDRY    BOARD. 

Board  was  unable  to  satisfy  the  calls  made  upon  it  for  further  infor- 
mation as  to  the  number  of  guns  required  or  the  probable  extent  and 
cost  of  a  plant  for  the  manufacture  of  such  heavy  guns  as  the  act  of 
Congress  contemplated. 

It  was  evident  that  none  of  the  desired  information  could  be  obtained 
from  our  manufacturers,  because  of  their  lack  of  experience  on  this 
subject.  It  was  known,  too,  that  several  of  the  European  Governments 
had  had  more  or  less  experience  of  joint  action  with  private  artillery 
establishments.  The  call  by  the  act  of  Congress  for  "  the  cost  of  all 
buildings,  tools  and  implements  for  the  manufacture  of  the  heaviest 
guns  "  could  only  be  answered  by  information  and  experience  obtained 
from  abroad,  as  no  such  tools  or  implements  have  been  manufactured 
or  are  in  use  in  the  United  States.  The  steam-hammer  mentioned  in 
the  act  was  recognized  as  a  subject  requiring  careful  consideration.  It 
is  coupled  with  a  qualification,  "  or  apparatus  of  sufficient  size,"  which 
indicates  that  there  existed  a  doubt  as  to  the  propriety  of  the  use  of  a 
steam-hammer  for  forging  if  other  ''apparatus  of  sufficient  size"  could 
be  made  more  efficient.  The  advances  made  of  late  years  in  the  process 
of  forging  by  compression  made  this  a  very  important  matter  for  con- 
sideration. This  subject  is  necessarily  connected  with  that  of  the  man- 
ufacture of  the  metal  to  be  forged,  and  involves  a  study  of  the  recent 
developments  in  steel.  The  actual  condition  of  the  armaments  abroad, 
so  far  as  it  illustrates  the  latest  ideas,  was  felt  by  the  Board  to  be  an 
important  part  of  the  information  on  which  it  should  report,  as  the  char- 
acter of  the  new  constructions  of  cannon  would  necessarily  control  that 
of  the  tools  to  be  recommended  for  use  in  their  fabrication. 

The  foregoing  reasons  governed  the  Board  in  its  decision  to  represent 
the  necessity  of  seeking  information  abroad.  Orders  were  issued  and 
the  Board  proceeded  to  Europe.  The  first  visit  was  made  to  England. 


ENGLAND. 

SOURCES  FROM  WHICH  THE  ARMAMENT    OF  ENGLAND    IS   SUPPLIED. 

Previous  to  the  year  1859  the  Royal  Arsenal  of  Woolwich  was  the 
only  source  from  which  the  armament  of  England  was  supplied.  The 
arsenal  was  a  purely  governmental  establishment,  in  which  there  were 
several  departments.  The  department  of  the  Koyal  Gun  Factories  was 
always  under  the  command  of  an  officer  of  the  Royal  Artillery ;  and  here 
all  cannon  for  the  army  and  navy  were  fabricated. 

Since  the  year  1859,  the  Elswick  Works  at  Newcastle-on-Tyne  has 
been  a  source  of  supply  on  which  the  Government  has  drawn  more  or 
less  for  guns.  The  experience  of  the  connection  of  the  English  Govern- 
ment with  these  private  works  bears  directly  upon  the  subject  of  joiut 
action  between  a  Government  and  a  private  firm. 

This  connection  dates  from  the  time  when  attention  was  called  to  the 
improvements  in  rifled  ordnance  inaugurated  by  Mr.  William  G.  Arm- 
strong. 

The  Armstrong  gun  was  first  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  Government 
in  1854,  and  in  July,  1855,  a  3-pounder  was  delivered,  with  a  report  of 
the  experiments  that  had  been  made  with  it.  The  gun  was  re-bored  up 
to  a  5-pounder,  and  in  December,  1856  was  tried ;  the  report  stated 
that  good  practice  was  obtained  at  1,500  and  2,000  yards.  In  January, 
1857  a  second  gun  was  ordered.  It  was  an  18-pounder,  and  was  tried 
in  January,  1858.  The  report  was  favorable,  and  the  gun  was  so  far 


ENGLAND.  9 

approved  as  to  cause  the  recommendation  that  two  should  be  issued  to 
the  artillery  t.o  "knock-about,  and  be  reported  on  as  to  their  endurance 
of  work  in  comparison  with  the  service  guns." 

In  1858  there  arose  a  pressure  for  a  supply  of  rifled  field  guns  for  the 
army,  and  a  committee,  after  investigation,  reported  that  it  was  expe- 
dient to  experiment  only  with  the  Armstrong  and  Whitworth  guns. 

There  has  always  been  a  controversy  as  to  the  manner  in  which  the 
comparison  between  these  two  guns  was  made.  But  the  result  of  the 
trial  was  the  adoption  of  the  Armstrong  system  for  field  service,  which 
at  this  time  involved  the  following  combination  of  construction,  viz : 
breech-loading,  rifling,  and  coating  the  projectile  with  soft  metal. 

In  order  to  obtain  as  soon  as  possible  a  supply  of  these  guns,  it  was  de- 
cided to  supplement  the  resources  of  Woolwich  by  entering  into  arrange- 
ments with  a  company  set  up  at  Elswick  for  the  manufacture  of  the  guns 
and  projectiles.  A  guarantee  was  given  to  this  company  on  the  16th 
of  January,  1859,  to  secure  them  against  loss  by  the  erection  of  build- 
ings and  machinery.  The  Government  undertook  to  keep  them  in  full 
work,  but  reserved  the  right  to  terminate  the  engagement  on  the  pay- 
ment of  compensation.  The  necessities  of  the  service  requiring  a  larger 
number  of  these  guns  to  be  provided  than  was  at  first  anticipated,  the 
original  guarantee  was  increased,  first  to  £50,000,  arid  then  to  £60,000. 
In  October,  1859,  owing  to  increased  pressure  for  guns,  the  guarantee 
was  raised  to  its  final  amount  of  £85,000. 

Sir  William  Armstrong  was,  on  the  22d  of  February,  1859,  appointed 
engineer  of  rifled  ordnance,  and  on  the  4th  of  November,  1859,  he  be- 
came also  the  superintendent  of  the  Eoyal  Gun  Factories,  which  office  he 
held  until  February,  1862.  This  was  the  first  time  that  office  had  been 
filled  by  a  civilian. 

In  September,  1859,  the  40-pounder  Armstrong  gun  was  approved  for 
the  navy.  Proposals  were  also  approved  for  the  construction  of  a  110- 
pouuder  gun,  and  one  hundred  of  these  guns  were  constructed  before 
any  experiments  with  them  had  been  concluded. 

The  Government  was  thoroughly  committed  to  the  Armstrong  system, 
and  the  manufacture  was  carried  out  at  Woolwich  by  the  Government, 
and  at  Elswick  by  a  private  company. 

The  large  expenditures  having  attracted  attention,  a  committee  was 
appointed  in  1862  to  inquire  into  them,  and  in  April,  1863,  the  agree- 
ment with  the  Elswick  Company  was  terminated  by  the  Government, 
which  discontinued  all  orders  to  it  and  concentrated  its  work  at  Wool- 
wich. The  guarantee  of  £85,000  was  paid,  the  Government,  however, 
being  credited  with  the  value  of  plant  and  stores,  estimated  at  £19,000, 
making  the  amount  in  money  paid  £65,534  4*. 

The  committee  reported  that  during  the  continuance  of  the  agreement 
with  the  Elswick  Company  the  following  sums  had  been  paid: 

(1.)  The  sum  of  £965,117  9*.  Id.  for  articles  supplied. 

(2.)  After  giving  credit  for  the  value  of  plant  and  stores  received  from 
the  company,  a  sum  of  £65,534  48.,  as  compensation  for  terminating  the 
contract. 

(3.)  The  outstanding  liabilities  of  the  War  Office  to  the  Elswick  Ord- 
nance Company,  for  articles  ordered,  amounted  on  the  7th  of  May,  1862, 
to  the  sum  of  £37,143  2s.  lOd. 

The  whole  of  these  payments  and  liabilities  amounts  to  the  sum  of 
£1,067,794-16,9.  5d. 

During  the  same  period  there  had  been  expended  in  the  three  manu- 
facturing departments  at  Woolwich  on  the  Armstrong  guns,  amniuni- 


10  RKPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

tion  and  carriages,  the  sum  of  £1,471,753  Is.  3d.,  making  altogether  a 
grand  total  of  £2,539,547  17s.  Sd. 

A  statement  prepared  by  one  of  the  assistant  accountants-general  of 
the  War  Office  shows  the  cost  of  certain  guns  and  projectiles  obtained 
from  the  Elswick  Ordnance  Company  compared  with  the  rates  of  those 
produced  at  the  Royal  Arsenal  at  Woolwich.  According  to  this  state- 
ment, taking  the  class  of  stores  which  have  been  supplied  from  Els- 
wick  and  from  Woolwich,  and  which  therefore  admit  of  a  direct  com- 
parison, the  sum  of  £242,173  10,?.  6tf.,  on  an  expenditure  of  £593,275  10s. 
lid.,  would  have  been  saved  to  the  public  had  these  guns,  projectiles 
and  fuzes,  supplied  by  the  Elswick  Ordnance  Company,  been  manu- 
factured in  the  Royal  Arsenal. 

The  evidence  on  this  subject  is  acknowledged  to  be  somewhat  con- 
flicting. Colonel  Boxer,  who  was  the  superintendent  of  the  Royal 
Laboratory  at  Woolwich,  and  the  accountant-general  of  the  War  Office 
state  their  belief  that  the  statement  is  substantially  correct,  while  Mr. 
Reiulel  and  Captain  Koble,  R.  A.,  partners  in -the  Elswick  Company, 
object  to  the  basis  on  which  the  prices  at  the  Royal  Arsenal  were  astier- 
tained;  but  there  seems  no  doubt  a  saving  would  have  been  effected  if 
all  l  he  articles  had  been  manufactured  at  the  Royal  Arsenal. 

The  above  is  a  statement  of  facts  which  exhibits  the  experience  of 
the  English  Government  in  its  experiment  of  joint  action  with  a  pri- 
vate company.  The  plant  put  up  by  the  Government  became  the  prop- 
erty of  the  private  company  at  a  nominal  valuation,  and  the  Govern- 
ment paid  about  £65,000  to  break  the  agreement,  besides  paying  an 
increased  price  on  articles  manufactured  for  it. 

Elswick. — The  subsequent  history  of  the  Elswick  Ordnance  Com- 
pany under  the  control  of  Sir  William  Armstrong  is  well  known.  The 
plant  for  the  manufacture  of  cannon  has  been  kept  employed  by  orders 
from  foreign  Governments,  and  during  late  years  much  work  has  been 
done  for  the  English  Government.  The  enterprise  and  ability  in  its 
management  has  been  of  great  assistance  to  the  country,  and,  at  the 
recent  readoption  of  the  breech  loading  system,  the  Government  found 
Elswick  prepared  to  assist  in  advancing  the  manufacture. 

Tims,  though  there  seems  to  have  been  no  profit  to  the  Government 
in  working  jointly  with  the  Elswick  Company,  much  aid  has  been  de- 
rived from  it  as  an  independent  assistant,  and  it  may  be  said  that  it  is 
the  only  one  which  supplements  the  royal  factories  in  finishing  guns. 

The  establishment  at  Elswick  is  thoroughly  equipped  for  heavy  work 
and  has  produced  the  largest  guns  in  the  world.  The  shops  are  sup- 
plied with  an  abundance  of  fine  tools,  and  the  forge  arrangements  have 
been,  up  to  the  present  time,  all  that  was  required  Jor  the  manufacture 
of  the  guns  heretofore  turned  out.  But  a  change  is  being  made  in  some 
of  the  details  to  better  accord  with  the  demand  for  steel  cannon,  and 
steel  works  are  being  erected  capable  of  casting  100- ton  ingots.  Blast 
furnaces  are  also  in  operation. 

The  fact  that  the  Government  has  abandoned  the  wrought-iron  gun 
impairs  the  usefulness  of  the  broad  tup-hammer  with  which  the  wrought- 
iron  coils  were  welded,  and  this  is  being  modified  to  be  more  effective 
for  forging  steel  ingots  and  hoops.  The  advantages  of  the  Whitworth 
manufacture  are  also  recognized  and  a  forging  press  is  being  introduced. 

The  use  made  of  hydraulic  power  is  probably  greater  at  Elswick  than 
at  any  other  establishment  in  the  world.  This  might  naturally  be  ex- 
pected, when  it  is  borne  in  mind  that  the  world  is  indebted  to  Sir  Will- 
iam Armstrong  for  the  advance  made  in  this  direction. 


ENGLAND.  11 

The  system  of  hydraulics  at  Elswick  extends  to  all  parts  of  the 
grounds,  reaching  all  the  shops,  wharves,  and  water  front.  Pump- 
ing-engines  are  established  at  convenient  intervals,  only  one  work- 
ing at  a  time,  and  the  connection  of  pipes  being  continuous,  the  uni- 
form working  of  the  system  is  established  by  five  or  six  accumulators 
with  18-inch  rams.  The  working  of  the  pumping-engine  is  made  auto- 
matic. The  accumulator  nearest  to  it  is  slightly  more  heavily  loaded 
than  the  others  to  give  a  lead  in  rising  to  the  distant  one,  and  is  connected 
with  a  steam  regulating  valve  to  act  as  a  governor  for  adjusting  the 
speed  of  the  engine  to  the  varying  demand  of  the  hydraulic  machines. 
The  pressure  sustained  throughout  the  system  is  750  pounds  to  the 
square  inch.  The  pipes  are  usually  5  inches  in  diameter,  the  largest 
being  6  inches. 

Hydraulic  power  is  used  for  the  forge  and  foundry  cranes,  also  for  the 
movable  cranes  which  operate  along  the  water-front.  For  the  accommo- 
dation of  these  last,  pipes  are  run,  in  junction  with  the  pressure  main, 
with  hydrants  from  18  to  36  feet  apart,  from  which  connection  is  made 
with  the  cranes  by  means  of  telescopic  tubes.  Two  or  more  cranes  can 
thus  be  brought  into  operation  on  any  vessel  at  the  water-front. 

On  the  east  end  of  the  wharf  are  erected  large  hydraulic  shears, 
worked  by  a  direct-acting  hydraulic  cylinder,  40-feet  stroke,  lifting  120 
tons.  The  back  leg  moves  so  as  to  bring  the  lifting  cylinder  about  30 
feet  out;  the  foot  is  moved  by  a  screw  50  feet  long,  with  hydraulic  en- 
gine and  gear. 

The  most  notable  hydraulic  crane  that  has  been  produced  from  these 
works  is  the  one  erected  in  the  Italian  naval  arsenal  at  Spezzia,  which  is 
capable  of  lifting  160  tons  through  a  range  of  40  feet.  It  is  carried 
upon  a  ring  of  line  rollers  supported  by  a  pedestal  of  masonry,  and  the 
slewing  is  effected  by  an  hydraulic  engine  applied  to  a  pinion  which 
gears  with  a  circular  rack.  The  rake  of  the  jib  or  projection  from  the 
center  of  rotation  is  65  feet,  and  its  height  from  the  quay-level  is  105 
feet.  The  crane  is  counterbalanced  on  the  side  opposite  to  the  load. 

About  the  grounds  at  Elswick,  particularly  at  the  approaches  to  the 
shops,  there  are  numerous  small  capstans  worked  by  hydraulic  engines, 
which  are  of  great  service  in  hauling  heavy  loads  into  or  out  of  shops, 
and  in  transporting  them  from  shop  to  shop. 

It  is  almost  unnecessary  to  add  that  it  is  at  Elswick  that  the  applica- 
tions for  working  heavy  guns  by  hydraulic  power  have  been  designed 
and  manufactured. 

No  foundry  or  gun  factory  can  be  considered  efficiently  equipped  with- 
out being  provided  with  arrangements  for  the  plentiful  supply  of  hy- 
draulic power. 

Woolwich. — The  Koyal  Gun  Factories  at  Woolwich  are  of  very 
extensive  proportions,  and  have,  in  the  course  of  many  years,  become  so 
well  equipped  that  the  present  change  which  has  been  inaugurated  in 
the  system  of  manufacture  of  the  English  gun  does  not  find  it  unpre- 
pared. In  a  Parliamentary  report  of  1878->79  a  balance  sheet  states  the 
value  of  all  the  property  and  material  in  the  three  departments  at  Wool- 
wich, as  follows,  viz: 

£  *.    d. 

Land 2^05    9     4 

Buildings 97,684     7  11 

Machinery 166,110  11     3£ 

To  one  year's  interest,  at  3£  per  cent,  on  invested  capital,  viz  :  stores 

and  semi-manufactured  articles  in  stock,  April  1, 1878 196,949  15    3 

Total 463,550    3    9£ 


12  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

The  capacity  for  production  in  the  gun  factory  is  stated  in  1873-'74  to 
have  been  6,000  tons  of  guns  of  various  calibers  per  year,  or  7,500  tons 
of  rough  forgings  (wrought  iron). 

An  approximation  to  the  number  of  tools  may  be  reached  by  citing 
the  number  of  boring-machines  now  in  place,  viz: 

2  of  72  inches  swing,  4  of  51  inches  swing,  4  of  42  inches  swing, 

4  of  36  inches  swing,  6  of  30  inches  swing,  6  of  24  inches  swing, 

12  of  20  inches  swing, 

besides  50  or  60  others  of  various  smaller  sizes. 
Of  other  machines  there  are — 

6  planing-raachiues,  12  shaping-machines,  12  milling-machines, 

12  drilling-machines,  12  slotting-inachines,  6  radial-machines, 

2  dividing-  machines, 

Of  traveling  cranes  there  are — 

4  of  60  tons  capacity,         6  of  30  tons  capacity,          6  of  25  tons  capacity, 

besides  several  of  from  20  to  9  tons  capacity. 

The  steam-hammers  are  comprised  in  the  following  list: 

1  of  40  tons,    I  of  12  tons,    1  of  10  tons,    2  of  7  tons,    2  of  6  tons, 

besides  nanny  of  from  3  to  1  ton. 

The  steam  power  in  the  Royal  Gun  Factories  is  supplied  by  40  boilers 
of  40  horse-power  each.  The  uniform  capacity  of  boilers  is  found  con- 
venient in  case  of  repairs,  when  substitutions  have  to  be  made.  At  one 
point  there  are  assembled  24  boilers  in  one  group. 

The  new  feature  about  the  gun  factories  at  Woolwich  is  the  establish- 
ment of  a  foundry  for  casting  steel.  The  development  of  this  branch  of 
the  manufacture  is  still  in  its  infancy,  but  already  there  are  several  Price's 
retort  furnaces  in  operation,  having  a  total  capacity  of  about  18  tons. 
The  tests  of  the  metal  have  proved  to  be  very  satisfactory,  and  already 
some  tubes  have  been  accepted  for  the  manufacture  of  6-inch  steel  guns. 
It  is  expected,  in  a  very  short  time,  that  tubes  for  8-inch  guns  will  be 
produced  from  this  foundry. 

The  40- ton  steam-hammer,  which  has  been  used  for  welding  the  large 
coils  of  wrought  iron  used  in  the  late  manufacture  of  the  Woolwich 
gun,  is  undergoing  a  change,  by  having  the  face  of  the  tup  reduced  in 
area  in  order  to  be  made  more  efficacious  in  forging  steel  ingots.  Op- 
portunity is  also  being  taken  to  reconstruct  and  repair  a  portion  of  the 
foundation  and  the  anvil  block  in  order  to  suit  the  new  conditions.  In 
this  connection  it  may  be  well  to  state  the  cost  of  this  hammer,  includ- 
ing that  of  the  four  cranes  used  in  connection  with  it,  furnished  by 
Nasmyth,  Wilson  &  Co. : 

Hammer £4,980 

Cranes  and  framing * 13, 500 

Expended  in  department 10,915 

Inspector  of  works,  charges  for  building  foundations,  furnaces,  &c 9, 245 

Floor  plates 3,683 

42, 323 

Steel  Manufacturers. — While  considering  the  sources  from 
which  the  armament  of  England  is  supplied,  the  steel  manufacturers 
who  provide  the  tubes,  jackets  and  hoops  should  be  named.  They  are : 

Thomas  Firth  &  Sons,  Sheffield. 

Charles  Cammell  &  Co.,  Sheffield. 

Vickers,  Sons  &  Co.,  Sheffield. 

Sir  Joseph  Whitworth  &  Co.,  Manchester. 


ENGLAND.  13 

A  foundry  for  steel  casting  is  now  being  added  to  the  plant  at  Els- 
wick. 

Heretofore  the  gun-carriages  for  both  the  army  and  navy  have  been 
provided  from  the  gun-carriage  department  'at  Woolwich  on  their  own 
designs;  but  since  the  adoption  of  the  Vavasseur  gun-carriage  by  the 
Admiralty,  the  works  atElswick,  as  well  as  the  London  Ordnance  Works 
of  Mr.  Vavasseur,  have  been  called  upon  to  supplement  Woolwich  in  the 
production  of  a  supply  of  these  carriages.  At  the  present  time  the  Ad- 
miralty have  on  hand,  or  under  construction,  about  450  of  them  suited 
for  all  calibers  of  guns. 

CONDITION  OF  STEEL  MANUFACTURE. 

The  Board  visited  the  following  works,  viz : 
Thomas  Firth  &  Sons,  Sheffield. 
Sir  John  Brown  &  Co.,  Sheffield. 
Charles  Cammell  &  Co.,  Sheffield. 
Vickers,  Sons  &  Co.,  Sheffield. 
Sir  Henry  Bessemer,  Sheffield. 
Sir  Joseph  Whitworth  &  Co.,  Manchester. 
Bolckow,  Vaughan  &  Co.,  Eston. 

Until  within  a  very  few  years,  the  steel  for  gun  metal  has  been  con- 
fined in  England  to  that  produced  from  crucibles,  and  it  is  only  since 
the  general  application  of  the  Siemens-Martin  Process  that  Open- Hearth 
steel  has  come  into  competition  with  it.  The  uniform  results  that  are 
now  attainable  with  this  process  show  that  the  period  for  the  exclusive 
use  of  crucible  steel  for  cannon  has  passed.  Some  of  the  steel  manu- 
facturers have  advanced  very  far  in  the  use  of  the  open-hearth,  and 
all  are  making  arrangements  for  embarking  in  this  system  of  manufact- 
ure. This  process  ivS  much  cheaper  than  that  by  the  crucible,  and,  its 
success  being  established,  that  reason  alone  would  be  sufficient  to  cause 
the  change  in  the  system ;  but  there  are  other  reasons  now  operating 
in  England  which  make  the  change  of  manufacture  necessary  in  order 
that  her  steel  works  shall  retain  their  position  in  commerce  and  be  en- 
abled to  answer  the  calls  made  on  them  by  the  Government. 

As  long  as  the  demand  for  steel  was  confined  to  orders  which  required 
small  ingots,  the  product  of  the  crucibles  was  sufficient,  and  the  force 
of  laborers  required  was  not  excessive ;  but  since  the  introduction  of 
steel  into  the  process  of  forming  armor-plates,  and  the  conesponding 
increase  in  the  size  of  parts  requisite  for  the  guns  to  pierce  the  new 
armor,  the  organization  of  a  force  to  cast,  from  crucibles,  masses  to 
answer  these  demands  has  become  a  difficult  matter.  The  changes  that 
were  commenced  a  few  years  ago  in  some,  and  which  are  now  being  in- 
troduced in  all  the  works  at  Sheffield,  are  necessary  to  prevent  the  pur- 
chase from  other  sources  of  the  masses  of  steel  now  required  by  the 
Government. 

The  new  departure  in  the  system  of  gun  construction,  described  far- 
ther on  in  this  report,  will  demand  from  the  Sheffield  steel  manufactu- 
rers increased  effort.  Up  to  the  present  time  the  only  portion  in  the 
construction  of  the  Woolwich  gun  that  required  steel  was  the  tube;  the 
breech-pieces  and  hoops,  being  made  of  coiled  wrought  iron,  were  fab- 
ricated at  Woolwich.  The  new  construction  requires  that  steel  shall  be 
used  throughout,  and  the  castings  for  the  jackets  for  guns  now  in  hand 
at  Woolwich  can  hardly  be  supplied  from  Sheffield.  It  is  well  known 
that  the  tubes  for  the  100-ton  guns,  manufactured  at  Elswick  by  Sir 


14  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

William  Armstrong,  which  required  an  ingot  of  42  tons,  had  to  be  made 
in  two  pieces  because  the  capacity  of  Sheffield  was  not  sufficient  to 
make  the  casting  in  one,  and  it  is  fair  to  suppose  that  the  use  of  the 
coiled  steel  breech  pieces,  now  used  at  Woolwich  to  build  up  the  4'3-ton 
gun,  was  induced  by  the  difficulty  of  procuring  masses  of  steel  of  suffi- 
cient magnitude  to  make  proper  jackets  for  them.  If  this  be  not  the 
case  in  regard  to  the  43-ton  guns,  the  embarrassment  is  very  likely  to 
arise  with  the  62-ton  steel  gun  now  in  contemplation.  But  whether  any 
serious  embarrassment  has  yet  arisen  or  not,  owing  to  the  limited  ca- 
pacity of  Sheffield  for  casting  gun-metal,  it  is  evident  that  whatever 
margin  the  manufacturers  now  have,  it  is  very  slight,  and  it  behooves 
them  to  increase  their  plant  for  casting. 

The  question  of  forging  steel  ingots  is  one  which  is  evidently  occupy- 
ing the  attention  of  the  steel  manufacturers  in  Sheffield,  but  on  which 
they  are  reticent.  The  important  works  are  all  supplied  with  steam- 
hammers  of  greater  or  less  weight,  varying  from  15  to  25  tons,  and  each 
manufacturer  claims  that  his  works  are  thoroughly  equipped  in  this 
respect  for  accomplishing  the  necessary  work  on  an  ingot  of  any  size ; 
but  it  was  observed  that  in  one  important  establishment  preparations 
were  being  made  for  the  introduction  of  a  large  press  to  take  the  place 
of,  or  to  supplement  the  work  of,  the  hammer.  The  success  of  Sir  Joseph 
Whitworth's  process  of  forging  by  hydraulic  compression,  and  the  en- 
viable character  acquired  by  the  products  of  his  works  in  Manchester, 
have  induced  the  Sheffield  manufacturers  to  take  into  consideration 
the  probable  advantages  of  the  process.  As  to  the  advantage  or  prac- 
ticability of  the  compression  of  steel  in  the  liquid  state  they  are  entirely 
skeptical,  but  the  efficacy  of  forging  under  hydraulic  compression  is 
conceded,  though  it  is  claimed  that  this  must  be  done  under  a  heat 
much  higher  than  that  required  for  forging  under  a  hammer,  which  is 
considered  an  objection  to  the  process. 

Owing  to  the  character  of  seclusion  that  Sir  Joseph  Whit  worth  has 
preserved  to  his  works,  the  manufacturers  of  steel  at  Sheffield  have 
no  personal  knowledge  of  the  process  adopted  at  Manchester.  Their 
knowledge  is  limited  to  meager  reports,  but  the  Board  was  allowed 
the  privilege  of  carrying  on  its  investigations  within  the  works,  where, 
under  orders  from  Sir  Joseph,  his  representatives  exhibited,  with  ex- 
planations, the  operations  carried  on  in  this  unique  establishment.  It 
may  be  distinctly  asserted  that  the  experiences  enjoyed  by  the  Board 
during  its  visit  amounted  to  a  revelation. 

Whit  worth's  Works. — Upon  its  first  arrival  in  London  the 
Board  was  invited  by  Sir  Joseph  Whit  worth  to  examine  his  works,  but 
with  the  desire  expressed  that  the  visit  should  be  postponed  until  the 
close  of  our  foreign  investigations.  This  request  was,  of  course,  readily 
acceded  to,  and  it  will  be  thus  seen  that  previous  to  the  visit  to  Man- 
chester the  members  of  the  Board  had  received  all  the  impressions  that 
could  be  produced  by  viewing  the  operations  at  the  chief  steel  factories 
in  France  and  Russia,  and  the  great  factories  of  Sheffield,  in  England. 

In  speaking  of  the  Whitworth  establishment  at  Manchester  as  unique, 
and  of  the  process  of  manufacture  at  that  place  as  a  revelation,  reference 
is  specially  made  to  the  operation  of  forging.  As  to  the  assorting  of 
ores,  and  the  treatment  of  metal  in  the  furnaces,  there  is  no  intention 
to  draw  distinctions ;  but  as  to  the  treatment  of  the  metal  after  casting 
there  can  be  no  doubt  of  the  superiority  of  the  system  adopted  by  Sir 
Joseph  Whitworth  over  that  of  all  other  manufacturers  in  the  world. 
The  process  here  adopted  has  been  kept  singularly  exempt  from  scrutiny. 
Even  in  the  offices  of  the  chiefs  of  artillerv  there  can  be  found  no  in- 


ENGLAND.  1 5 

formation,  within  the  knowledge  of  the  Board,  which  is  at  all  satisfactory 
upon  the  subject.     Whatever  knowledge  there  is  seems  to  come  from  ' 
hearsay — none  from  personal  observation — and  it  is  only  from  personal 
observation  that  the  merits  of  the  system  can  be  fully  appreciated. 

The  system  of  forcing  consists  in  compressing  the  liquid  metal  in  the 
^mould  immediately  after  casting,  and  in  substituting  a  hydraulic  press 
for  the  hammer,  in  the  subsequent  forging  of  the  metal. 

The  flask  is  made  of  steel  and  is  built  up  of  sections  united  by  broad 
flanges  bolted  together  in  such  numbers  as  to  accommodate  the  length 
of  the  ingot  to  be  cast.  All  moulds  are  cylindrical  in  form.  The  inte- 
rior of  the  flask  is  lined  with  square  rods  of  wrought  iron,  longitudinally 
arranged,  which  form  when  in  place  a  complete  cylindrical  interior  sur- 
face. Where  the  square  edges  of  these  rods  meet  they  are  cut  away, 
both  on  the  inside  and  on  the  outside,  and,  at  intervals  of  two  inches, 
small  holes  are  drilled  through  betweeen  the  rods,  forming  a  channel- 
way  from  the  interior  to  the  exterior  for  the  passage  of  gas  and  flame. 
The  interior  is  then  lined  with  moulding  composition.  The  flange  at 
the  bottom  of  the  flask,  as  well  as  that  at  the  top,  is  perforated  with 
small  holes  which  act  as  a  continuation  to  the  perforations  between  the 
segments  of  the  lining  for  the  escape  of  gas. 

The  casting  is  made  directly  into  the  mould  from  the  top.  On  tho 
completion  of  the  casting,  the  mould  is  moved  (by  means  of  a  railway 
at  the  bottom  of  the  casting-pit,  which  is  a  deep  trench  running  parallel 
to  the  position  of  the  furnaces)  to  a  position  under  the  movable  head 
of  the  press,  which  is  allowed  to  descend  until  the  tup  is  in  contact  with 
the  metal  in  the  mould,  and  in  this  position  it  is  locked;  a  shower  of 
metal  is  induced,  which  ceases  almost  as  soon  as  commenced,  by  the 
complete  closing  of  the  mould.  The  first  impress  felt  by  the  metal  is  due 
to  the  weight  of  the  head  of  the  press  alone.  This  pressure  is  gradu- 
ally increased  from  below  by  hydraulic  action,  applied  by  four  rams 
upon  the  table  on  which  the  flask  rests,  until  the  pressure  exerted 
amounts  to  6  tons  per  square  inch.  The  interval  from  the  commence- 
ment of  the  pressure  until  the  maximum  is  reached  varies  with  the  size 
of  the  ingot,  being  for  a  45-ton  ingot  as  much  as  35  minutes.  During 
this  time  the  flow  of  gas  and  flame  from  the  apertures  in  the  flanges  of 
the  flask,  at  top  and  at  bottom,  are  continuous  and  violent,  exhibiting 
the  practical  effect  of  the  compression.  This  pressure  is  applied  by  the 
direct  action  of  steam  and  pumping  engines,  and  is  indicated  by  a  dial. 
At  the  end  of  this  time  the  pump  is  taken  off,  and  a  uniform  pressure 
of  about  1,500  pounds  per  square  inch  is  established  by  attaching  an 
accumulator  to  the  press,  and  allowed  to  remain  until  the  metal  is  suf- 
ficiently cooled  to  insure  no  farther  contraction  in  the  mould. 

The  contraction  in  length  in  the  mould  during  the  action  of  the  pump, 
while  the  maximum  pressure  is  being  reached  and  sustained,  amounts  to 
one-eighth  of  the  length  of  the  ingot.  After  this  effect  has  been  produced, 
there  is  no  farther  advantage  derived  from  the  pressure  in  the  way  of 
eliminating  impurities,  but  the  contraction,  in  cooling,  still  goes  on  and 
the  pressure  by/the  accumulator  is  considered  necessary  in  order  to  fol- 
low up  the  metal  as  it  contracts,  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  cracks 
being  inaugurated  at  the  end  and  on  the  exterior  of  the  ingot  by  the 
adhesion  of  particles  of  the  metal  to  the  sides  of  the  mould. 

When  cooled  and  reheated,  the  ingot  is  brought  under  the  influence 
of  the  forging-press.  This  press  is  hydraulic,  with  a  moving  head 
having  the  main  hydraulic  cylinder  fixed  in  it,  and  it  is  provided  with 
an  arrangement  of  mechanism  for  raising  and  lowering  the  moving 
head  of  the  press  and  for  locking  the  same  in  any  desired  position. 


16  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

The  press  has  four  hollow  pillars  screwed  part  of  their  length,  which 
are  attached  to  the  base  of  the  press  by  nuts.  On  the  top  of  the  pillars 
is  fixed  a  cast-iron  head  or  table  supporting  two  bydraulic  lifting  cylin- 
ders, the  rams  of  which  are  fitted  with  cross-heads  carrying  four  suspen- 
sion bars.  These  bars  pass  through  the  moving  head,  and  are  connected 
at  the  lower  ends  by  cross  bars,  which  are  fastened  to  the  pressing  ram. 
The  moving  head  works  between  the  base  and  the  top  or  fixed  head  of 
the  press,  and  is  raised  or  lowered  by  the  admission  or  exit  of  water  from 
the  underside  of  the  rams  of  the  lifting  cylinders.  The  moving  head 
can  be  firmly  and  rapidly  locked  at  any  height  from  the  base  which 
may  suit  the  work  to  be  operated  upon.  The  moving  head,  as  already 
mentioned,  carries  a  forging  or  compressing  cylinder,  which  forces  a 
ram  down  upon  the  work.  By  attaching  the  compressing  cylinder  to, 
and  making  it  part  of,  the  moving  head,  a  short  stroke  can  be  employed 
when  forging  objects  which  may  vary  in  size  from  a  few  inches  to  several 
feet  in  diameter. 

This  in  general  terms  explains  the  working  of  the  ram.  The  effect 
produced  by  it  requires  to  be  seen  in  order  to  be  thoroughly  appreciated, 
and  is  altogether  different  from  that  produced  by  the  hammer.  The 
heated  ignot  resists  the  blow  of  the  hammer,  but  the  insinuating,  per- 
severing effort  of  the  press  cannot  be  denied.  The  longer  time  (several 
seconds)  during  which  the  effort  lasts  is  a  great  element  in  its  success- 
ful effect.  As  pressure  succeeds  pressure  the  stability  of  the  particles 
is  thoroughly  disturbed  and  a  veritable  flow  of  metal  induced,  which 
arranges  itself  in  such  shape  as  the  pressure  indicates;  the  particles  are 
forced  into  closer  contact  and  the  whole  mass  writhes  under  the  con- 
straint which  it  is  impotent  to  resist. 

The  Board  witnessed  the  operations  of  casting  followed  by  that  of 
liquid  compression,  the  enlarging  of  hoops,  the  drawing  out  of  cylinders, 
and  the  forging  of  a  solid  ingot.  The  unanimous  opinion  of  the  mem- 
bers is  that  the  system  of  Sir  Joseph  Whitworth  surpasses  all  other 
methods  of  forging,  and  that  it  gives  better  promise  than  any  other  of 
securing  that  uniformity  so  indispensable  in  good  gun  metal. 

The  latest  exhibition  of  the  wonderful  character  of  the  Whitworth 
steel  has  attracted  great  attention,  and  may  be  stated  as  indicating  the 

E resent  culmination  of  his  success.  From  a  Whitworth  9-inch  gun, 
itely  constructed  for  the  Brazilian  Government,  there  was  fired  a  steel 
shell,  which,  after  perforating  an  armor-plate  of  18  inches  of  wrought 
iron,  still  retained  considerable  energy.  The  weight  of  the  shell  was 
403  pounds,  the  charge  of  powder  197  pounds,  and  the  velocity  about 
2,000  feet.  The  shell  is  but  slightly  distorted.  The  tests  of  the  metal  of 
which  it  was  made  show  a  tensile  strength  of  98  tons  per  square  inch 
and  a  ductility  of  9  per  cent. 

Basic  Process. — The  manufacture  of  steel  as  treated  in  the  Besse- 
mer converter  came  under  the  particular  notice  of  the  Board  at  the  works 
of  Sir  Henry  Bessemer,  in  Sheffield,  but  nothing  in  the  practice  de-erving 
of  special  remark  was  observed  with  the  exception  of  the  use  of  a  me- 
chanical stirrer,  which  is  inserted  into  the  molten  metal  in  the  ladle 
after  the  recarburating  charge  of  spiegeleisen  has  been  added.  The 
stirrer  is,  in  form,  a  two-bladed  propeller  on  the  end  of  a  vertical  shaft, 
actuated  by  a  geared  engine  of  6  horse  power,  conveniently  placed  at 
the  side  of  the  casting  pit.  The  revolutions  of  the  stirrer  have  the  effect 
of  more  thoroughly  incorporating  the  spiegeleisen  with  the  charge,  dis- 
seminating it  throughout  the  mass. 

No  product  of  the  Bessemer  converter  has  yet  been  found  to  answer 
all  purposes  for  gun  construction ;  it  has  been  used  with  success  for 


ENGLAND.  1 7 

hoops  for  light  gnus,  but  it  is  deficient  in  the  hai  dness  required  for 
tubes  and  has  the  reputation  of  want  of  uniformity.  Extensive  experi- 
ments were  made  in  France  several  years  ago  with  this  metal,  with  a 
view  to  adopting  it  for  gun  construction,  but  failure  after  failure  caused 
the  abandonment  of  the  effort.  Those  who  are  laboring  to  perfect  this 
process  insist  that  great  improvements  have  recently  been  made,  and 
that  the  character  of  want  of  uniformity  is  no  longer  deserved.  Should 
final  success  attend  these  efforts,  there  will  be  a  probable  future  of  great 
usefulness  opened  up  for  the  numerous  phosphoric  ores  in  the  United 
States,  as  the  Bessemer  converter  is  found  to  be  a  most  convenient 
means  of  applying  dephosphorizing  elements  to  these  ores  when  in  a 
state  of  fusion.  For  the  purpose  of  investigating  this  matter,  the  Board 
visited  the  extensive  works  of  Bolckow,  Vaughan  &  Co.,  near  Middles- 
brough, where,  under  the  guidance  of  Mr.  E.  Windsor  Richards,  the 
manager,  the  manufacture  by  what  is  termed  the  u Basic  Process"  was 
witnessed. 

This  immense  establishment  is  located  at  Eston,  5  miles  from  Mid- 
dlesbrough, and  there  is  evidence  of  great  executive  ability  guiding 
the  details  of  its  conduct.  The  company  owns  very  extensive  territory 
adjoining  the  works  and  tributary  mining  districts  of  coal  and  ore,  and 
employs  fourteen  thousand  men.  At  Eston  there  are  twenty-six  blast 
furnaces;  11,000  tons  of  pig-iron  are  cast  per  week,  and,  in  addition  to 
other  fuel,  there  is  a  weekly  consumption  of  13,000  tons  of  coke;  8,000 
tons  of  coal  and  7,000  tons  of  ore  are  raised  per  day. 

One  point  may  be  mentioned  in  connection  with  the  manufacture  of 
steel  rails  at  this  establishment.  The  iron  is  not  cast  into  pigs,  but  is 
carried  direct  from  the  blast  furnace  to  the  Bessemer  converter ;  after 
casting,  the  ingot  is  removed  at  the  earliest  possible  moment  from  the 
mould,  and  after  a  short  reheating  is  carried  to  the  rolls,  from  which 
it  comes  out  in  the  form  of  a  finished  rail,  the  whole  operation  being 
completed  in  one  heat. 

Ten  Bessemer  converters  are  in  operation,  six  worked  by  the  Basic 
Process  and  four  on  the  usual  Acid  Process,  with  a  siliceous  (gauister) 
lining. 

In  the  Basic  Process  the  converter  is  lined  with  a  mixture  of  dola- 
mite  (magnesia  limestone),  calcined,  pulverized  and  incorporated  with 
coal  tar  to  make  it  pasty.  The  converter  is  taken  to  pieces  and  lined 
with  this  mixture  18  inches  thick.  Before  lining  the  bottom,  through 
which  are  the  perforations  for  the  passage  of  air  during  the  operation 
of  blowing,  long  rods  are  inserted  in  the  holes  and  the  mixture  is  packed 
around  them.  When  this  operation  is  completed  the  rods  are  removed, 
leaving  holes  through  the  bottom  lining.  The  pieces  of  the  converter 
are  then  assembled,  and  a  fire  is  lighted  on  the  inside  to  burn  out  the 
coal-tar  on  the  inner  surface ;  the  whole  lining  then  has  a  set.  One 
lining  of  the  sides  is  good  for  40  or  50  blows ;  one  lining  of  the  bottom 
is  good  for  10  blows. 

The  converter  being  in  place  and  heated,  a  charge  of  pure,  common 
lime,  uuslacked,  is  introduced  (15  per  cent,  of  the  charge  of  iron).  The 
molten  metal,  brought  from  the  blast  furnace,  is  then  poured  in  and 
the  blow  commenced.  When  the  phosphorus  is  removed,  which  is 
ascertained  by  mechanical  tests,  about  three-fourths  of  the  charge  is 
emptied  into  the  ladle,  in  which  ferro- manganese  has  been  previously 
placed ;  a  charge  of  4^  per  cent,  of  molten  hematite,  imported  from 
Spain  and  containing  from  2J  to  3  per  cent,  of  silicon  and  a  mere  trace 
of  sulphur  and  phosphorus,  is  then  brought  from  a  cupola  furnace  and 
poured  into  the  ladle,  causing  a  violent  ebullition ;  this  goes  on  for  a 
H.  Ex.  97 2 


18  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

time,  more  ferro-manganese  being  added,  if  necessary,  to  prevent  red- 
shortening.  When  the  boiling  ceases,  4J  per  cent,  of  spie^eleisen  is 
poured  into  the  ladle,  which  is  then  brought  again  under  the  con- 
verter and  receives  the  rest  of  the  charge.  The  casting  is  then  made 
from  the  ladle. 

The  ore  used  in  this  process  is  of  very  inferior  quality ;  it  is  called 
Cleveland  stone,  has  42  per  cent,  of  iron  and  high  phosphorus,  the  pig 
containing  1£  per  cent.  Being  very  low  in  silicon  it  does  not  destroy 
the  lining,  which  would  be  the  case  if  silicon  was  high.  The  object 
of  the  lime  is  to  take  up  and  hold  the  phosphorus  in  the  slag.  The 
phosphorus  is  increased  in  the  charge  by  adding  some  of  the  old  slag, 
making  the  proportion  of  phosphorus  1.75  per  cent.  The  amount  of 
silicon  in  the  iron  is  from  0.75  to  1  per  cent.  During  the  operation  of 
blowing  this  silicon  is  the  first  to  disappear;  the  carbon  is  then  con- 
sumed, immediately  after  which  the  phosphorus  passes  into  the  slag. 
This  operation  requires  about  2J  minutes  and  is  timed  from  the  moment 
the  collapse  or  falling  of  the  flame  shows  that  the  carbon  is  burned  out. 

Mr.  Eichards  stated  that  previous  to  the  introduction  of  the  charge 
of  hematite  during  the  operation  there  was  a  want  of  uniformity  in  the 
results;  that  sometimes  there  would  remain  traces  of  phosphorus,  but 
that  the  introduction  of  the  pure  hematite,  which  has  only  a  trace  of 
phosphorus  and  is  high  in  silicon,  before  casting  gives  such  stability  to 
the  mass  as  to  prevent  the  slag  from  parting  with  any  of  the  phosphorus 
it  has  taken  up;  the  silicon  also  in  the  hematite  is  oxidized  in  calming 
down  the  steel,  and  it  also  goes  into  the  slag.  The  introduction  of  the 
hematite  also  makes  it  possible  to  halve  the  ordinary  charge  of  spiegel- 
eisen,  which,  as  spiegel  is  costly,  cheapens  the  operation. 

The  Basic  Process,  thus  briefly  sketched,  has  for  its  object  the  utili- 
zation of  inferior  ores.  It  is  the  only  one  now  known  by  which  this 
injurious  element,  phosphorus,  can  be  eliminated.  For  guns  the  natural 
prejudice  would  be  against  metal  made  from  ore  which  was  originally 
defective,  but  the  operators  of  this  system  hold  that  their  product  is  as 
good  as  if  made  from  pure  ore.  Whether  it  will  ever  be  used  for  gun 
metal  will  depend  upon  the  confidence  that  it  may  inspire  in  the  future, 
but  the  problem  of  its  application  for  general  purposes  has  been  suc- 
cessfully solved. 

PRESENT  CONDITION  OF  THE  ENGLISH  ARTILLERY. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  essential  characteristics  of  the  Woolwich 
gun  were  that  it  was  a  muzzle-loader  and  depended  for  its  strength 
upon  wrought-iron  coils.  The  security  of  muzzle-loading  and  the  safety 
derived  from  the  wrought  iron  used  in  the  construction  of  the  gun  have 
been  claimed  as  advantages  over  other  constructions. 

At  the  time  of  the  visit  of  the  Board  to  England  it  was  found  that  a 
great  change  had  taken  place  in  the  opinions  of  the  English  artillerists 
on  these  two  points,  and  that  the  military  and  naval  services  were 
changing  the  character  of  their  armaments.  The  first  effort  was  di- 
rected to  the  substitution  of  the  breech-loading  system.  This  was 
induced  by  the  increasing  difficulties  attending  the  loading  of  large 
guns  at  the  muzzle  both  on  shore  and  at  sea.  Adherence  to  the  practice 
of  muzzle-loading  had  imposed  much  additional  expense  for  machinery 
necessary  for  manipulation,  and  the  ever  increasing  length  of  guns  and 
weight  of  projectiles  complicated  the  difficulties.  It  was  determined 
that  attention  should  be  given  to  the  question  of  applying  the  breech- 
loading  principle  to  guns,  and  in  1879-'80  plans  were  made  for  such 


ENGLAND.  19 

constructions  and  the  experiments  were  inaugurated  which  promise  to 
involve  an  entire  change  in  the  armament  of  the  country. 

Although  the  idea  of  introducing  the  system  of  b»eech-loading  seems 
to  have  been  forced  by  the  difficulties  attendant  upon  the  use  of  large 
calibers,  the  effort  is  now  being  made  to  apply  the  change  to  all  calibers. 
The  Board  found  that  in  the  gun  factory  at  Woolwich  guns  of  all  cali- 
bers were  being  fitted  on  the  breech-loading  system. 

One  of  the  first  experiments  tried  was  with  a  12-inch  43-ton  gun, 
manufactured  at  Woolwich,  which  was  built  of  wrought-iron  coils  and 
fitted  with  the  French  fermeture,  necessarily  inserted  in  the  rear  of  the 
steel  tube.  Good  ballistic  results  were  obtained,  but  the  construction 
of  the  gun  does  not  seem  to  have  given  satisfaction.  At  the  same  time 
some  experiments  with  6-inch  breech-loaders  were  carried  on.  These 
were  built  up  in  the  same  way  ;  several  failed,  some  of  them  after  being 
fired  with  battering  charges.  The  reasons  assigned  refer  to  bad  metal 
and  to  errors  in  manufacture.  These  failures,  however,  seem  to  have 
convinced  the  authorities  that  it  was  not  wise  to  continue  the  use  of 
coiled  wrought-iron  hoops  and  breech-pieces,  and  the  Board  finds  that 
with  the  adoption  of  the  system  of  breech-loading  there  is  a  positive 
move  to  the  use  of  steel  for  all  parts  of  their  gun  construction. 

The  guns  under  construction  at  the  Woolwich  Gun  Factories  indicate 
that  this  conclusion  has  been  accepted  by  the  Government,  though  the 
differences  perceptible  in  some  of  them  show  the  gradual  growth  of  the 
developed  idea.  For  example,  though  the  12-inch  43-ton  gun  of  latest 
order  is  composed  entirely  of  steel,  there  are  other  guns  of  the  same 
caliber  and  weight  which  have  aportion  of  their  hoops  made  of  wrought- 
iron  coils.  There  is  no  doubt,  however,  that  the  use  of  wrought  iron 
and  the  system  of  muzzle-loading  have  been  abandoned. 

In  addition  to  the  12-inch  43-ton  steel  guns,  there  are  in  hand  13-inch 
62-ton  steel  guns ;  also  10-inch  26-ton  steel  guns  designed  to  throw  a  pro- 
jectile of  500  pounds  with  an  initial  velocity  of  2,100  feet.  Much  inter- 
est is  also  felt  in  the  success  of  the  9.2-inch  18-ton  steel  gun,  which  is 
designed  to  supersede  in  sea  service  the  present  10-inch  18-ton  wrought- 
iron  muzzle-loader.  Four  8-inch  llj-ton  steel  guns  are  being  manufact- 
ured in  the  Koyal  Gun  Factories ;  two  of  them  will  be  30  calibers  in 
length  and  two  will  be  26  calibers  in  length,  the  shorter  being  intended 
for  sea  service.  Breech -loading  guns  of  6-inch,  5-inch  and  4-inch  cali- 
bers are  also  now  constructed  of  steel. 

In  this  transition  from  wrought  iron  to  steel  it  must  be  particularly 
noted  that  the  change  as  thus  far  made  in  large  guns  consists  in 
the  substitution  of  coiled  steel  for  coiled  wrought  iron ;  the  reason  for 
taking  this  intermediate  step  being  the  want  of  experience  at  the  Royal 
Gun  Factories  in  the  manufacture  of  solid  steel  hoops,  and  the  greater 
certainty  of  the  manufacture  of  the  steel  coils.  The  superiority  in 
strength  of  the  steel  coil  over  that  of  wrought  iron  is  positively  claimed 
by  the  superintendent.  Jackets  (breech -pieces)  and  hoops  of  forged  and 
rolled  steel  are  to  be  used  as  soon  as  practicable. 

What  has  been  recognized  by  the  world  as  the  Woolwich  system  no 
longer  exists  in  practice.  In  its  place  we  find  the  Vavasseur  design,  a 
gun  composed  of  a  steel  tube,  with  a  steel  jacket  (breech-piece)  supple- 
mented by  superimposed  layers  of  steel  hoops.  This  change  has  been 
brought  about  by  public  opinion,  which  has  asserted  itself  in  condem- 
nation of  the  material  and  the  system  of  construction  so  long  in  use. 

material. — It  is  stated  by  a  very  high  authority  that  wrought  iron 
welded  into  such  large  masses,  as  are  required  for  the  Frazer  system, 
loses  it  fibrous  character  and  becomes  highly  crystalline. 


ZU  KEPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

The  use  of  the  coiled  steel  hoops,  adopted  as  a  temporary  expedient 
at  Woolwich,  is  objected  to  by  high  authorities,  who,  while  allowing 
that  steel  of  an  extremely  mild  quality  might  be  used  for  welded  coils, 
say  that  it  would  be  no  better  than  iron,  and  that  at  the  point  of  weld- 
ing no  greater  strength  than  that  due  to  iron  can  be  obtained. 

All  authorities  concur  that  steel,  superimposed  in  layers  over  an  inner 
barrel,  is  the  best  material  for  ordnance  and  the  preponderating  testi- 
mony favors  its  manufacture  by  the  Open-Hearth  Process.  This  is  not 
due  to  any  objection  to  crucible  steel,  which  has  heretofore  been  used 
for  all  gun-tubes,  but  because  the  results  of  the  Open- Hearth  Process 
are  equally  satisfactory  and  cheaper.  Even  those  who  insist  in  retain- 
ing crucible  steel  for  tubes  are  willing  to  adopt  the  Open-Hearth  steel 
for  jackets  and  hoops. 

There  is  a  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  mode  of  manufacture  of  the 
hoops  and  jackets.  All  agree  that  small  hoops  should  be  rolled  after 
having  been  forged  into  a  ring  shape  from  a  cast  ingot;  but  for  larger 
hoops  and  jackets  it  is  recommended  by  some  that  they  should  be  cast 
hollow  and  then  forged,  and  by  others  that  they  should  be  cut  from  a 
solid  ingot  and  forged;  while  still  another  authority  thinks  that  hoops 
and  jackets  of  large  size  should  be  bored  out  of  the  solid  after  forging. 

Construction. — In  the  latest  designs  for  steel  guns  the  system 
of  Mr.  J.  Vavasseur  has  been  adopted.  This  consists  of  a  tube  as  thin 
as  is  consistent  with  strength ;  a  long  jacket  shrunk  on  to  provide  longi- 
tudinal strength ;  and  layers  of  superimposed  cylinders  or  hoops  shrunk 
on,  the  number  of  layers  varying  with  the  size  of  the  gun.  The  thin 
tube  develops  more  thoroughly  the  principle  of  a  built-up  gun,  and  is 
less  liahle  to  contain  concealed  detects.  It  makes  the  ultimate  strength 
of  the  gun  less  dependent  on  its  integrity. 

Sir  William  Armstrong  advocates  a  greater  number  of  layers  than 
Mr.  Vavasseur  or  the  superintendent  of  the  Royal  Gun  Factories.  The 
latter  agree  that  the  thickness  of  the  layers  should  not  be  reduced  to  a 
point  where  the  mass  is  not  sufficient  to  compress  the  structure  under 
it  in  process  of  cooling. 

Sir  William  Armstrong  considers  that  he  increases  the  end  strength 
of  the  layers  of  his  guns  by  interposing  sheet  copper  between  the  sur- 
faces, and  states  that  copper  has  been  used  in  this  way  at  Elswick  for 
two  or  three  years.  The  superintendent  of  the  Royal  Gun  Factories  and 
Mr.  Vavasseur  object  to  the  use  of  copper  as  rendering  the  compression 
due  to  shrinkage  uncertain  in  amount.  They  prefer  to  rely  for  end 
strength  on  hooking  the  layers  together.  In  their  latest  designs  the 
chase  of  the  gun  is  not  reinforced,  but  depends  for  its  strength  on  the 
thickness  of  the  steel  tube.  Sir  William  Armstrong,  however,  considers 
it  desirable  to  extend  the  hoops  to  the  muzzle  of  the  gun  to  provide 
against  the  possible  premature  bursting  of  a  shell  in  the  bore. 

The  pressures  to  which  the  guns  will  be  permitted  to  be  habitually 
subjected  will  not  exceed  18  tons  to  the  square  inch. 

The  propriety  of  lining  the  tube  with  a  thin  steel  lining  is  being  closely 
considered  for  the  purpose  of  providing  a  plan  for  renewing  the  portions 
of  the  metal  scarred  by  firing  without  having  to  resort  to  retubing. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  experiments  will  be  made  in  this  direction. 

Breech-Closing". — All  the  authorities  in  England  now  advocate 
the  breech  loading  system  for  cannon.  The  interrupted  screw,  com- 
monly known  as  the  French  system,  is  preferred  and  has  been  adopted 
at  Woolwich.  In  the  heavier  guns,  at  least,  the  breech  screw  will  not 
engage  in  the  tube,  but  in  the  cylinder  immediately  surrounding  it,  thus 
relieving  the  tube  from  that  portion  of  the  longitudinal  strain  which 


ENGLAND.  2 1 

tends  to  blow  out  the  breech.  The  number  of  interruptions  increases 
with  the  caliber;  there  are  four  in  the  breech  mechanism  of  the  12-inch 
43- ton  gun. 

CJas-Check. — The  de  Bange  gas-check  lias  been  adopted  at  Wool- 
wich and  is  preferred  by  Mr.  Vavasseur.  It  is  considered  as  complying 
more  nearly. than  any  other  with  the  conditions  required  of  a  perfect 
gas-check.  It  requires  no  seat  to  be  prepared  for  it  in  the  chamber,  is 
not  liable  to  derangement,  and  does  not  require  perfect  accuracy  in  its 
manufacture.  Sir  William  Armstrong  adheres  to  the  Elswick  cup,  as 
opposed  to  the  Broadwell  ring,  and  objects  to  the  de  Bange  gas-check 
because  of  the  additional  length  of  gun  required  ;  in  the  12-inch  43  ton 
gun  this  amounts  to  6  inches. 

Vent. — The  vent  is  in  the  axis  of  the  gun  and  the  escape  of  gas 
through  the  orifice  after  tiring  is  checked  by  a  device  by  which  a  plug 
is  drawn  into  the  neck  of  the  primer  by  the  action  of  pulling  the  laniard 
attached  to  the  friction  tube. 

Form  of*  Chamber. — At  the  Royal  Gun  Factories  it  is  considered 
that  the  best  results  are  obtained  with  chambers  not  more  than  3£ 
diameters  in  length,  and  witli  an  opening  the  full  diameter  of  the 
chamber.  Sir  William  Armstrong,  though  preferring  a  long,  narrow 
chamber  as  being  favorable  to  strength  of  tube,  thinks  that  under  the 
present  aspect  of  the  powder  question  the  short,  wide  chamber,  with 
full-sized  opening,  must  be  adopted. 

Rifling'. — All  the  authorities  except  Sir  Joseph  Whit  worth,  who 
adheres  to  the  polygonal  system,  agree  that  the  grooves  should  be  nu- 
merous and  shallow.  The  rilling  is  polygroove;  the  grooves  are  cut 
to  a  depth  of  0.05  inch,  and  their  non-driving  edges  are  sloped  to  di- 
minish the  scoring.  The  twist  is  an  increasing  one  (from  about  1  in  120 
calibers  to  about  1  in  35  calibers)  for  about  half  the  length  of  the  rifling ; 
the  other  half,  to  the  muzzle,  being  a  uniform  twist  of  about  1  in  35 
calibers.  The  number  of  grooves  is  determined  by  the  caliber  and  is 
the  product  of  4  and  the  diameter  expressed  in  inches ;  thus,  the  12-inch  I  i 
gun  has  48. 

Rotating*  Rings. — The  Vavasseur  rotating  ring  is  now  adopted 
by  Woolwich  and  Elswick,  the  dimensions  being  determined  by  experi- 
ment. Mr.  Vavasseur  lays  great  stress  on  the  position  of  the  rotating 
ring  on  the  projectile.  He  states  that  it  should  be  at  the  center  of  per- 
cussion with  respect  to  the  front  bearing. 

Wire  Construction. — The  employment  of  steel  ribbon  or  wire 
in  gun  construction  has  been  more  or  less  considered  since  1855,  when 
Mr.  James  A.  Longridge  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  War  Office  his 
proposed  method  of  increasing  the  strength  of  guns  by  this  means. 
Some  experiments  were  made,  but  they  were  not  satisfactory.  Of  the 
strength  that  was  given  circumferential ly  there  was  no  doubt,  but  the 
difficulties  of  providing  it  longitudinally  were  so  great  that  the  subject 
was  dropped  at  the  time.  Recently,  however,  the  matter  has  been  taken 
up  by  Sir  William  Armstrong,  who  has  manufactured  several  wire  guns. 

A  10.2-inch  gun  of  this  manufacture  has  been  purchased  by  the  War 
office  and  is  now  under  trial.  In  this  gun  longitudinal  strength  is  ob- 
tained by  disposing  some  of  the  wire  lengthwise  around  the  tube,  and 
some  very  satisfactory  experiments  have  been  made  with  it.  The  gun 
weighs  21  tons,  is  25  calibers  long,  and  the  following  present  some  of 
the  particulars  of  the  last  reported  filing: 

Charge  of  powder pounds . .  220 

Weight  of  projectile do 404 

Muzzle  velocity feet..  2, 160 

Pressure  per  square  inch tons. .  17 


22  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

A  (5-inch  breech-loading  gun  and  a  6.3-inch  muzzle-loading  howitzer 
manufactured  by  the  same  firm  are  also  about  to  be  tried.  In  these  the 
longitudinal  strength  is  entirely  dependent  on  the  steel  tube.  The  same 
firm  is  manufacturing  several  6-iuch  breech-loading  guns  in  which  the 
longitudinal  strength  is  partially  provided  for  by  a  jacket,  the  wire 
wrapping  being  only  called  upon  to  provide  circumferential  strength. 

The  Royal  Gun  Factory  has  taken  up  the  subject  and  has  matured 
designs  for  experiment  on  a  large  scale.  In  its  designs  the  longitudinal 
strength  is  obtained  by  means  of  steel  segmental  hoops  placed  between 
layers  of  wire. 

The  following  is  the  present  state  of  the  wire-gun  question  in  England : 

Manufacture  of  Sir  William  Armstrong  : 

Under  trial,  10.2-inch  breech-loading  gun. 

To  be  tried,  6-inch  breech-loading  gun,  6.3-iuch  muzzle-loading  howitzer. 
Manufacture  of  Royal  Gun  Factories  : 

Under  manufacture,  10-inch  breech-loading  howitzer. 

Recommended  for  manufacture,  15-inch  breeeh-loading  gun  of  63  tons. 

Opinions  vary  as  to  the  form,  size  and  other  characteristics  of  the 
wire.  One  authority  recommends  square  wire  for  the  first  six  or  eight 
coils,  gradually  increasing  the  size  of  the  wire  as  the  coils  proceed  out- 
wards. This  authority  states  that  the  higher  the  elastic  limit  the  better, 
the  breaking  strain  and  power  of  elongation  being  of  comparatively  small 
importance,  and  that  the  wire  should  never  be  strained  up  to  its  elas- 
tic limit.  Another  authority  recommends  a  flat  wire  of  100  to  110  tons 
breaking  strain  wound  on  a  tension  of  60  tons  for  the  inner  and  about 
70  tons  for  the  outer  layers,  the  longitudinal  strength  to  be  provided  by 
the  inner  tube  of  the  gun  and  by  steel  segments  divided  longitudinally, 
but,  when  put  together,  forming  a  tube.  Another  authority  states  that 
the  full  benefit  of  wire  cannot  be  obtained  unless  strained  beyond  its 
elastic  limit.  Another  authority  prefers  wire  of  a  circular  section,  it 
being  impossible  to  keep  any  other  shape  to  gauge.  For  heavy  guns  he 
would  use  wire  of  0.0984  section,  with  a  breaking  strain  of  about  125 
tons,  and  an  elongation  of  about  2  per  cent.  This  authority  says  that 
the  elastic  limit  of  the  wire  should  riot  be  passed  in  winding  it  on.  He 
estimates  that  there  would  be  a  saving  in  weight  of  about  30  per  cent, 
on  the  breech  portion  of  the  gun,  and  more  certainty  of  manufacture 
than  with  steel  hoops. 

FRANCE. 

SOURCES  FROM  WHICH  THE  ARMAMENT  OF  FRANCE  IS   SUPPLIED. 

Previous  to  the  Franco-German  war  of  1870,  it  was  the  custom  in 
France  to  confide  all  matters  relating  to  cannon  to  the  artillery  corps 
of  the  army  and  navy ;  aid  from  private  sources  was  neither  sought 
nor  offered;  much  secrecy  was  observed  in  all  things  relating  to  the 
business  of  ordnance;  admission  to  the  Government  foundries  was  ob- 
tained with  difficulty,  and  the  experimental  ground  at  Gavre,  with  rare 
exceptions,  was  closed  to  all  applicants. 

For  army  purposes,  the  gun  factories  at  Bourges,  Puteaux  and 
Tarbes  supplied  all  demands,  while  for  the  use  of  the  navy  the  found- 
ries of  Ruelle  and  of  Nevers,  and  the  gun  factories  attached  to  them, 
provided  the  entire  armaments. 

With  the  advent  of  the  war  came  the  proof  that  a  close  corporation, 
such  as  was  constituted  by  the  system  heretofore  adopted,  could  not 
work  to  the  best  advantage  of  the  country  ;  and,  with  the  return  of 


FRANCE.  23 

peace  and  the  necessity  of  re-armament,  came  a  revolution  of  ideas 
which  has  led  the  Government  to  modify  its  practice. 

It  was  recognized  that  the  Government  must  have  under  its  control 
some  establishments  purely  governmental ;  but  that,  in  order  to  pro- 
vide for  all  contingencies  as  well  as  to  prevent  official  ideas  from  run- 
ning too  much  in  a  groove,  it  was  desirable  to  encourage  private  in- 
dustries, so  that  a  spirit  of  emulation  might  be  excited  by  competition 
and  a  channel  afforded  through  which  new  ideas  and  inventions  might 
reach  the  national  works.  The  adoption  of  this  course  was  made  the 
more  imperative  in  consequence  of  the  new  departure  in  gun-metal,  and 
this  opened  the  way  to  the  encouragement  of  the  steel  industries  of  the 
country. 

The  plan  thus  decided  on  has  been  consistently  carried  out.  The 
Government  gave  assurances  to  the  private  companies  which  induced 
them  to  expend  the  funds  necessary  to  erect  new  and  suitable  tools, 
both  for  the  casting  of  the  metal  and  the  fabrication  of  the  guns. 

The  result  of  this  action  can  be  appreciated  by  reference  to  the  fol- 
lowing list  of  private  companies  which  are  now  employed  in  providing 
armaments  for  the  Government. 

STEEL  MANUFACTORIES   PRODUCING   STEEL   UP   TO   TUBES   FOR   16-CENTIMETRE  GUN. 

Jacob  Holtza  &  Co Uuienx  (Loire). 

Marrel  Freres Rive  de  Gier  (Loire). 

Socie"t6  ties  Acieries  et  ForgeH  de  Firminy Firminy  (Loire). 

Compagnie  des  Forges  et  Acieries  de  St.  Etienne St.  Etienne. 

STEEL  MANUFACTORIES   PRODUCING   STEEL   UP   TO    TUBES    FOR    42-CENTIMETRE   GUN. 

Henri  Schneider  &  Co Le  Creusot. 

Acierie  de  la  Marine St.  diamond. 

PRIVATE   COMPANIES   HAVING  PLANT  OF   GUN  FACTORY. 

Henri  Schneider Le  Creusot. 

Cail  &Co Paris. 

Societe"  des  Forges  et  Chantiers  de  la  Mediterranne' Havre. 

Compagnie  de  Fives-Lille Fives-Lille  (Nord). 

Socie'te"  Anonyme  de  Constructions  Navales  dn  Havre Havre. 

Acierie  de  la  Marine St.  Chamond. 

STEEL  MANUFACTORIES  PRODUCING  ARMOR  PLATES. 

Henri  Schneider  &  Co.  (forged  steel) Le  Creusot. 

Acierie  de  la  Marine  (compound) St.  Chamond. 

Marrel  Freres  (compound) Rive  de  Gier. 

Chatillon  et  Commentry  (compound) Montlucon. 

The  compound  plates  are  manufactured  under  the  patent  of  Mr.  Wil- 
son, of  Charles  Cammell  &  Co.,  Sheffield,  England. 

All  the  gun-carriages  for  the  navy  and  for  coast  defense  are  made  at 
private  works. 

The  above  lists  illustrate  the  immense  increase  of  resources  that  the 
Government  has  obtained  by  encouraging  private  industries  and  they 
contribute  an  important  historical  chapter  for  the  instruction  of  a  Gov- 
ernment about  to  provide  an  armament  for  its  military  services. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  the  Government  works  manufacturing  for 
the  army,  viz : 

(1.)  Fonderie  de  Canons  a  Bourges,  in  the  center  of  France.  At  this  place  steel 
guns  are  made  of  90  millimetres,  155  millimetres,  190  millimetres,  and  240  millimetres; 
also  rifled  mortars  of  220  millimetres. 

(2.)  Atelier  de  Construction  a  Tarbes,  in  the  Hautes  Pyrenees,  in  the  southwest 


UNIVERSITY    I 


24  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

part  of  France.  At  this  place  steel  guns  are  made  of  90  millimetres,  and  120  milli- 
metres ;  also  carriages  for  field  and  siege  guns. 

(3.)  Atelier  de  Construction  de  Puteaux,  near  Paris.  At  this  place  all  the  steel 
mountain  and  field  guns  of  80  millimetres  are  made;  also  siege  guns  of  120  millime- 
tres, and  the  Hotchkiss  revolving  cannon  for  flank  defense. 

(4.)  Gun  carriages,  limbers,  &c.,are  made  at  Government  shops  at  Vernon,  Avig- 
non and  at  Angers. 

Gun-carriages  are  also  manufactured  for  tlie  army  at  private  works. 

Boiirges. — The  gun  factories  of  tbe  army  fabricate  no  guns  above 
the  caliber  of  24  centimetres,  and  it  is  only  at  Bourges  that  army  guns 
of  this  caliber  are  constructed.  At  the  private  establishments  men- 
tioned above  the  work  of  fabrication  has  been  carried  as  high  as  34  cen- 
timetres, but  the  advantageous  working  capacity  of  the  factories  does 
not  extend  beyond  the  24-centimetre  gun. 

Ruelle. — At  the  "  Fonderie  a  Kuelle"  all  the  constructive  force  of 
the  marine  artillery  has  been  concentrated,  and  here  all  the  largest 
guns  are  made.  It  contains  the  most  remarkable  collection  of  tools  of 
the  age.  They  are  designed  for  guns  of  34  centimeters  and  upwards, 
and  have  a  capacity  for  handling  guns  of  100  tons  in  weight  and  60 
feet  in  length.  The  shop  in  which  these  tools  are  placed  is  about  450 
feet  in  length  and  131  feet  in  width,  having  a  height  of  85  feet  at  the 
central  peak  of  the  roof.  At  one  end  is  the  tubage  pit,  in  which  the 
gun  tube  is  placed  upright  to  receive  the  hoops.  The  bottom  of  this 
pit  is  at  a  depth  of  85  feet  below  the  floor.  It  is  excavated  in  a  rectan- 
gular form  and  is  divided  into  four  stories,  contracting  in  area  as  the 
lower  level  is  reached  ;  at  each  story  or  landing  place,  the  opening  can 
be  floored  over  to  accommodate  the  work  of  hooping  any  length  of  tube. 
The  heating  furnaces  are  on  the  first  story  below  the  floor.  The  tools 
already  in  place  are  the  following,  but  there  is  room  for  fully  a  dozen 
more  of  similar  character  : 

Two  turning  lathes,  capable  of  turning  guns  15  metres  long.  These  can  be  in- 
creased in  length  10  metres. 

Three  boring  machines  for  same. 

One  rifling  machine  for  same. 

Two  smaller  boring  machines  with  adjustable  connections  for  turning. 

Two  other  machines  for  performing  all  the  details  of  the  work  about  the  breech,  for 
receiving  the  ferrneture,  turning  the  screw,  slotting,  piercing  holes,  &c. 

Two  movable  cranes  ;  one  of  100  tons,  the  other  of  30  tons  capacity. 

The  contractors  for  these  tools  were  Yarall,  Blwell  &  Middleton, 
Paris.  The  plant  has  cost  millions  of  francs,  and  five  years  elapsed 
from  the  giving  of  the  order  to  the  setting  up  of  the  tools.  A  large  por- 
tion of  the  time  charged  to  the  manufacture  must  be  credited  to  the 
preparation  of  designs,  no  tools  of  their  size  and  great  capacity  having 
been  before  conceived. 

Taking  the  above  short  notice  of  the  works  at  Ruelle  in  connection 
with  what  has  been  stated  on  the  subject  of  private  industries,  it  will  be 
seen  how  well  all  the  requirements  are  provided  for  a  joint  production 
of  cannon  by  the  Government  and  private  parties.  The  latter  assist  up 
to  a  point  justifying  on  their  part  a  reasonable  outlay  of  money  for  a 
plant,  and  the  Government,  though  working  in  this  common  field  as 
well,  yet  reserves  to  itself  all  the  more  onerous  charges  involved  in  the 
manufacture  of  the  heaviest  ordnance. 

It  seems  as  if  in  France  the  happy  mean  has  been  reached  by  which 
the  Government  and  the  private  industries  can  work  harmoniously  to- 
wards the  accomplishment  of  a  national  object. 

In  a  combined  system  of  this  kind,  it  is  very  important  to  be  assured 
that  there  exist  mutual  checks  which  act  to  prevent  the  one  party  im- 


FRANCE.  25 

posing  improper  or  hard  terms  on  the  other.    Tbe  board  is  not  without 
evidence  of  the  existence  of  these  salutary  checks  in  France. 

A  short  time  since  the  Government  deemed  it  necessary  to  increase 
its  armament  by  300  additional  guns,  and  decided  that  certain  addi- 
tional tests  should  be  required  of  the  metal  for  the  tubes.  When  the 
provisions  of  the  proposed  contract  were  made  known  to  the  steel  man- 
ufacturers, they  resisted  the  requirements  as  being  too  hard  and  in- 
sisted on  the  acceptance  of  such  steel  as  had  been  previously  supplied ; 
but  to  this  the  Government  would  not  accede.  Finding  them  deter- 
mined in  their  resistance,  the  Government  made  inquiries  abroad  as  to 
the  possibility  of  securing  the  metal  it  required,  and,  finding  that  a 
foreign  manufacturer  would  undertake  the  contract,  a  promise  was  given 
to  him  that  he  should  receive  the  order.  The  steel  manufacturers  of 
France,  hearing  that  the  order  was  likely  to  be  given  to  a  foreign  tirm, 
endeavored  to  arouse  a  national  feeling  on  the  subject  to  constrain  the 
Government  to  make  the  purchase  in  France,  but  to  no  effect;  and 
they  finally  proposed  to  accept  the  Government  proposition.  But  the 
minister  had  already  given  his  word  to  the  foreign  manufacturer  and 
the  contract  was  lost  to  France.  In  this  instance  both  parties,  the 
Government  and  the  private  companies,  acted  within  their  independent 
rights,  but  neither  could  compel  the  other.  This  exhibition  of  effective 
counterpoise  is  a  good  proof  of  a  happy  adjustment  of  forces. 

CONDITION  OF   STEEL  MANUFACTURE. 

Since  the  termination  of  the  Franco-German  war  of  1870,  and  in  the 
course  of  the  re-armament  of  the  country,  the  Government  has  given 
every  encouragement  to  private  industries  to  justify  them  in  incurring 
the  expense  of  establishing  plants  at  various  points  to  assist  in  the 
construction  of  guns  ;  and  by  embarking  largely  in  the  fabrication  of 
steel  cannon  it  has  given  a  great  impetus  to  the  manufacture  of  this  im- 
portant material.  The  numerous  works  that  can  produce  metal  suit- 
able for  tubes  and  hoops  for  field-pieces  have  been  mentioned.  These 
establishments  have  made  a  study  of  the  subject  of  gun-metal,  and,  so 
far  as  their  facilities  for  forging  reach,  can  all  supply  the  demands  that 
the  country  can  make  upon  them. 

For  tubes  and  hoops,  however,  for  large  guns,  requiring  massive  forg- 
ings,  the  supply  is  limited  to  the  works  of  the  "  Compagnie  de  FAcierie 
de  la  Marine"  at  St.  diamond,  and  to  those  of  H.  Schneider  &  Co.  at 
Le  Creusot,  the  former  having  a  steam-hammer  of  80  tons,  and  the- 
latter  one  of  100  tons  weight. 

There  are  some  establishments,  notably  at  St.  Etienne,  where  crucible 
steel  of  a  high  order  is  manufactured  for  purposes  of  trade,  but  no 
effort  is  made  to  utilize  it  for  gun  purposes. 

St.  diamond. — The  cast  steel  used  for  cannon  in  France  is  manu- 
factured by  the  Open -Hearth  Process  with  Siemens'  furnaces.  This 
process  is  combined  with  the  rotating  bath  of  M.  Pernot  at  St.  Ghamond, 
where  three  25-ton  and  two  12-ton  Pernot  furnaces  give  a  capacity  lor 
casting  an  ingot  of  100  tons. 

The  ingots  cast  here  for  the  42  centimetre  75-ton  guns  are  of  75  tons 
weight ;  the  tube,  after  rough  boring  and  turning,  weighs  about  35  tons. 

The  tempering-pit  is  a  large  excavation  15  metres  deep.  At  one  ex- 
tremity is  the  furnace  where  the  tube  is  placed  erect  and  heated.  At 
the  other  is  a  cylindrical  excavation,  reaching  to  15  metres  below  the 
floor  of  the  pit,  where  is  placed  the  tank  containing  100  tons  of  colza 
oil  into  which  the  tube  when  heated  is  lowered  rapidly. 


26  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 


Creusot.  —  The  most  important  steel  works  in  France  are  situ- 
ated at  Le  Creusot  and  bear  the  name  of  the  location  in  which  they  are 
situated.  These  works  have  advanced  year  by  year  in  importance  and 
in  magnitude  since  their  purchase  by  Mr.  Eugene  Schneider. 

This  gentleman's  death,  in  1875,  was  a  source  of  mourning  to  the  whole 
town,  the  inhabitants  of  which  looked  up  to  him  as  a  father.  The 
grateful  people  have  erected  to  his  memory  a  monument  in  the  market 
square. 

Under  the  administration  of  his  son,  Mr.  Henry  Schneider,  the  fame 
of  the  products  of  the  works  has  been  enhanced,  and  the  proportions  of 
the  establishment  have  been  much  increased.  The  whole  number  of 
workmen  now  employed  here  and  at  other  points  amounts  to  15,000  ; 
and  it  is  the  great  center  of  industry  of  the  adjoining  region.  At  no 
other  place  in  the  world  is  steel  handled  in  such  masses. 

It  would  be  foreign  to  the  purpose  of  this  report  to  dwell  on  the  many 
objects  of  commerce  which  are  supplied  from  these  works,  but  it  is  safe 
to  say  that  no  proposed  work  can  be  of  such  magnitude  as  to  exceed  the 
resources  of  the  establishment. 

For  the  preparation  of  metal  for  cannon  and  armor-plates  Le  Creusot 
is  thoroughly  equipped.  The  iron  is  produced  on  the  premises  from  the 
purest  imported  ores,  and  the  manufacture  of  the  steel  is  carried  on  by 
the  most  approved  application  of  the  Open-Hearth  system  with  the  Sie- 
mens furnace  ;  the  chemical  and  mechanical  tests  are  such  as  to  satisfy 
the  most  exacting  demands  of  careful  Government  officials,  and  the  ex- 
ecutive ability  apparent  in  all  the  departments  and  the  evident  condi- 
tion of  discipline  that  pervades  the  whole  establishment  inspire  confi- 
dence in  the  productions  of  the  labor. 

The  capacity  for  casting  steel  is  represented  by  seven  open-hearth 
furnaces  of  18  tons  each,  equal  to  126  tons  ;  and  the  process  of  casting 
large  ingots  is  a  model  of  order  and  security.  Ladles  capable  of  hold- 
ing the  contents  of  one  furnace,  mounted  upon  platform  cars,  are  suc- 
cessively filled  at  a  previously  determined  interval  of  time  and  run  on 
railways  to  a  convenient  position  over  the  mould;  before  the  first  ladle 
is  exhausted  the  supply  from  the  succeeding  one  has  commenced  to  run, 
and  so  on  to  the  completion  of  the  casting,  the  supply  to  the  mould 
being  uninterrupted  during  the  entire  process.  The  precision  with 
which  the  several  ladles  are  brought  into  position  in  succession  makes 
it  entirely  unnecessary  to  provide  a  common  reservoir  into  which  all 
the  furnaces  may  discharge.  By  this  process  the  casting  of  a  45-ton 
ingot,  which  was  witnessed  by  the  Board,  was  effected  in  23  minutes. 

The  process  of  tempering  the  gun-tubes  was  also  witnessed  by  the 
Board.  The  excavation  of  the  pit  is,  as  at  St.  diamond,  15  metres 
deep,  with  the  furnace  at  one  end  and  the  oil  tank  (100  tons)  at  the 
other.  One  side  of  the  upright  furnace  is  constructed  in  the  form  of  a 
door,  which,  by  a  convenient  arrangement  for  swinging,  is  made  to  turn 
on  its  hinges.  Thus,  when  the  tube  is  raised  to  the  right  temperature, 
it  is  seized  by  the  traveling-crane,  the  door  of  the  furnace  swung  open, 
and  the  tube  at  once  advanced  to  the  tank  in  which  it  is  immersed. 

All  tubes  are  immersed  in  oil  the  second  time,  but  at  a  temperature 
much  below  that  to  which  they  are  raised  at  the  first  immersion.  This 
process  constitutes  the  annealing  after  tempering. 

The  manufacture  of  steel-armor  plates  is  a  specialty  of  Le  Creusot, 
which  is  engaged  in  an  active  competition  with  the  manufacturers  of 
compound  armor.  Plates  up  to  60  centimetres  in  thickness  and  3  metres 
wide  are  forged  here  ;  they  are  tempered  after  forging,  but  what  subse- 
quent treatment  they  receive  was  not  explained. 


FRANCE.  27 

The  tempering-pit  for  the  plates  consists  of  an  excavation  of  conven- 
ient size,  in  the  center  of  which  is  placed  a  tank  containing  180  tons  of 
oil.  At  the  four  corners  of  the  pit  are  furnaces  in  which  the  plates  are 
raised  to  a  proper  temperature.  When  sufficiently  heated  a  plate  is 
seized  by  a  walking-crane  and  immersed  in  the  oil. 

Hoops  for  cannon  are  manufactured  here  in  large  quantities.  They 
are  cut  from  solid  ingots,  and  those  for  guns  up  to  24  centimetres  are 
rolled  like  railway  tires;  those  for  larger  calibers  are  forged  on  a  man- 
drel. Jackets  of  large  size  are  also  manufactured ;  these  are  made  from 
solid  ingots,  which,  after  being  forged,  are  bored  out. 

At  Le  Creusot  a  remarkable  test  of  hoops  was  witnessed  which  ex- 
em  pliiies  not  only  the  excellence  of  the  manufacture  of  the  steel  but 
also  the  exacting  character  of  the  French  requirements.  The  hoops  for 
naval  guns  are  made  with  the  interior  surface  slightly  conical.  When 
forged,  turned  and  brought  under  a  hammer,  a  standard  mandrel  of 
steel,  conically  shaped  to  suit  the  form  of  the  cone  in  the  hoop,  but  of  a 
slightly  increased  diameter,  is  introduced,  the  smaller  end  of  the  man- 
drel being  able  to  enter  the  larger  end  of  the  hoop.  The  mandrel  is 
then  forced  in  by  the  hammer  until  its  lower  edge  has  passed-  through 
the  hoop.  The  blows  are  then  made  to  operate  on  the  upper  edge,  de- 
taching it  from  the  mandrel.  Careful  measurements  are  taken  of  the 
diameter  of  the  hoop  before  and  after  this  test,  and  it  is  required  that 
the  measurement  subsequent  to  the  operation  shall  show  that  the  hoop 
has  partially,  but  not  entirely,  returned  to  the  diameter  that  it  had  be- 
fore the  entrance  of  the  mandrel.  This  would  show  that  there  is  left  to 
the  metal  a  small  margin  within  its  elastic  limit.  A  system  of  manufact- 
ure which  can  comply  with  such  a  refinement  of  exactitude  must  be 
very  precise. 

Perhaps  the  most  striking  feature  at  Le  Creusot  is  the  forge,  where 
is  assembled  an  array  of  steam-haminers  not  equaled  in  the  world,  viz: 

One  100- ton  hammer  with  a  fall  of  5  metres. 
One  40-ton  hammer  with  a  fall  of  3  metres. 
One  15-ton  hammer  with  a  fall  of  3  metres. 
Two  10-ton  hammers  with  a  fall  of  2^  metres. 
One  8-ton  hammer  with  a  fall  of  2$  metres. 

As  the  100-ton  hammer  at  these  works  is  the  largest  in  the  world, 
some  particulars  concerning  it  will  be  appropriate. 

The  foundations  are  composed  of  a  mass  of  masonry  laid  in  cement 
resting  on  bed  rock,  which  occurs  at  a  depth  of  11  metres,  an  anvil  block 
of  cast  iron,  and  a  filling  in  of  oak  timber  designed  to  diminish  by  its 
elasticity  the  vibrations  resulting  from  the  blows  of  the  hammer.  The 
masonry  foundation  presents  a  cube  of  600  metres.  Its  upper  surface 
is  covered  with  a  layer  of  oak  about  1  metre  in  thickness,  placed  hori- 
zontally, on  which  rests  the  anvil  block. 

At  the  Perm  foundry  in  Russia  the  anvil  block  for  the  50  ton  hammer 
is  made  in  one  piece,  moulded  and  cast  in  the  spot  it  was  destined  to  oc- 
cupy. Its  weight  is  622  tons.  At  Le  Creusot,  however,  this  idea  was 
not  approved  and  it  was  determined  to  construct  the  block  in  six  hori- 
zontal courses,  each  bedded  upon  plane  surfaces.  Each  course  is  formed 
of  two  castings,  except  the  upper  one,  a  single  block,  which  weighs  120 
tons  and  supports  the  anvil.  Thus  formed  in  11  pieces,  it  is  5.6  metres 
high,  33  square  metres  at  the  base  and  7  square  metres  at  the  top.  Its 
entire  weight  is  720  tons.  The  space  between  the  block  and  the  sides 
of  the  masonry  in  which  it  rests  is  tilled  in  solidly  with  oak.  Th*.  block 
is  thus  independent  of  the  frame  of  the  superstructure. 

The  legs  of  the- frame,  inclining  towards  each  other  in  the  form  of  an 


28  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

A,  are  secured  at  their  bases  to  a  foundation-plate  imbedded  in  the 
masonry.  They  are  hollow,  of  cast-iron,  and  of  rectangular  cross-sec- 
tion, each  leg  in  two  pieces  joined  midway  of  their  length  by  flanges 
and  bolts.  The  legs  are  also  bound  together  by  four  plates  of  wrought 
iron  which,  at  the  same  time,  hold  the  guides.  The  height  of  the  legs 
is  10.25  metres  and  their  weight,  with  the  guides,  250  tons.  The  bind- 
ing plates  weigh  together  about  25  tons,  and  the  foundation  plates  90 
tons. 

The  entablature  of  the  frame- work  weighs  30  tons;  on  it  is  placed 
the  steam  cylinder,  single  acting,  made  in  two  pieces,  each  3  metres 
long,  united  by  flanges  and  bolts.  The  diameter  of  the  cylinder  is  1.9 
metres,  giving  a  surface  of  27,345  square  centimetres  (deducting  the  sec- 
tion of  the  rod,  which  is  36  centimetres  in  diameter) ;  which,  for  5  atmos- 
pheres, gives  a  pressure  under  the  piston  of  about  140  tons.  As  the 
weight  of  the  hammer  is  100  tons,  it  is  evident  that  it  can  be  raised 
with  great  velocity. 

The  stroke  of  the  piston  in  the  cylinder  is  5  metres.  This  height  of 
fall,  multiplied  by  the  100,000  kilogrammes  of  the  mass,  gives  a  working 
ing  force  of  500,000  kilogram  metres,  or  about  1,640  foot  tons.  The 
width  between  the  legs  is  7.5  metres,  and  the  free  height  under  the 
cross-ties  3  metres,  thus  providing  ample  space  for  maneuvering  large 
masses  of  metal. 

The  entire  height  of  this  colossal  structure  from  the  base  of  the  ma- 
sonry foundation  to  the  upper  part  of  the  steam  cylinder  is  31  metres 
(10J  feet),  but  notwithstanding  this  unfavorable  condition  for  stability 
and  the  enormous  effect  resulting  from  a  shock  of  500,000  kilogram- 
metres,  everything  is  so  well  proportioned  that  there  is  but  slight  vi- 
bration. 

The  workman  who  maneuvers  the  hammer  is  placed  on  a  platform  on 
one  of  the  legs  about  3  metres  above  the  floor.  He  is  here  protected 
from  the  heat  reflected  from  the  mass  of  metal  during  the  operation  of 
forging. 

Terre  l¥oire. — The  "  Compagnie  des  Fonderies  et  Forges  de  Terre 
Noire,  La  Voulte  et  Besse'ges"  is  one  of  the  important  steel  producers  of 
France ;  and,  though  its  metal  has  not  as  yet  been  received  for  tubes 
for  large  cannon,  it  has  been  largely  used  in  the  production  of  shells 
and  hoops.  The  company  claims  a  specialty  in  producing  cast  steel 
without  blow-holes,  which  requires  no  subsequent  working  under  the 
hammer.  The  mode  of  manufacture  is  known  as  the  Terre-Noire  Pro- 
cess, and  is  the  result  of  many  years  of  gradual  development.  The 
value  of  the  product  has  been  so  far  appreciated  by  the  Government  as 
to  justify  its  use  for  small  guns  and  hoops,  and  even  for  trunnion-bauds, 
while  the  manufacture  of  steel  projectiles  is  a  large  item  in  the  yield  of 
the  works.  The  Terre  Noire  metal  is  produced  in  the  Siemens  furnace, 
and  possesses  in  the  cast  state  all  the  necessary  qualities  for  ordinary 
industrial  purposes  ;  it  is  soft  and  malleable  and  is  said  to  be  as  strong 
as  ordinary  steel  of  the  same  grade  after  rolling  or  hammering.  It  is 
claimed  that  its  density  is  always  as  high  as,  and  sometimes  higher 
than,  that  of  ordinary  forged  steel.  These  statements  are  supported 
by  facts  shown  in  numerous  experiments. 

The  persevering  efforts  of  the  Terre  Noire  Company  to  develop  this 
manufacture  and  the  expense  attending  years  of  experiment  prove 
their  confidence  in  the  principle  involved,  and  the  encouragement  given 
during  the  past  two  years  by  the  Government  shows  an  appreciation  of 
its  merit;  further  experience  may  justify  the  use  of  the  metal  more  gen- 
erally in  the  construction  of  cannon,  and,  if  it  can  be  riiade  hard  enough 


FRANCE.  29 

for  the  purpose,  it  may  be  used  for  tubes.  It  will  require  exhaustive  ex- 
periments to  induce  artillerists  to  accept  in  all  cases  the  simply  cast 
metal  as  a  substitute  for  that  forged  under  a  hammer  or  press ;  but  if  a 
perfect  demonstration  shall  be  made  of  its  ability  to  endure  all  tests  it 
will  open  a  way  to  a  great  economy  in  manufacture. 

In  general  terms,  as  stated  by  Mr.  Holley,  the  object  of  greatest  im- 
portance in  this  process  is  to  keep  down  oxidation  in  the  bath  from  the 
commencement  of  the  operation.  For  this  purpose  the  furnace  must  be 
kept  as  hot  as  possible,  with  a  good  solid  body  of  flame,  but  there  must 
be  only  just  enough  air  admitted  to  promote  thorough  combustion. 

The  process  requires  an  initial  bath  of  pig-iron  containing  from  6  to 
8  per  cent,  of  manganese.  Spiegeleisen  is  the  most  convenient  form  for 
introducing  it;  but  as  a  spiegel  with  precisely  this  percentage  may  not 
be  at  hand,  the  bath  may  be  formed  by  taking  a  richer  spiegel  and  dilut- 
ing it  with  a  proper  proportion  of  ordinary  pig  containing  no  manganese. 
The  greater  part  of  the  bath  should  be  made  ot  pig  poor  in  carbon, 
particularly  when  highly  carbonized  materials  are  to  be  dissolved.  The 
weight  of  the  initial  bath  should  generally  be  about  11  per  cent,  of  the 
whole. 

When  the  bath  is  completely  melted  the  refining  materials  are  success- 
ively added  in  small  quantities.  These  are  preheated  and  dropped  at 
the  deepest  part  of  the  hearth  in  front  of  the  doors.  Preheating  is  em- 
ployed not  only  to  keep  the  furnace  hot,  but  to  save  oxidation.  The 
materials  used  at  this  period  of  the  operation  are  chosen  with  reference 
to  the  quality  required  in  the  finished  product.  For  projectiles,  the 
Terre  Noire  Company  generally  use  Bessemer  ingot  and  rail  ends,  with 
sinking-heads  from  previous  projectile  charges.  These  are  all  high  in 
carbon,  and  contain  some  manganese.  The  proportion  of  refining  ma- 
terials to  the  whole  charge  averages  78  per  cent.  As  soon  as  one  charge 
is  melted  another  is  added,  until  all  are  fused,  when  a  series  of  tests 
commences.  The  study  of  these  specimen  tests  is  kept  up  until  the 
bath  is  in  a  condition  to  receive  the  final  additions.  These  consist  of  a 
special  pig  (11  per  cent,  of  the  whole  charge)  containing  4J  per  cent,  of 
silicon  and  3J  of  manganese,  and  also  a  little  ferro-mangauese  contain- 
ing 50  or  60  per  cent,  of  the  latter.  A  part  of  these  ingredients  is  taken 
up  by  reactions  which  prevent  the  formation  of  blow-holes;  the  re- 
mainder is  left  in  the  metal  to  impart  to  it  the  physical  qualities  re- 
quired. 

The  special  pig  is  charged  hot.  While  it  is  melting  a  marked  change 
takes  place  in  the  bath,  which  up  to  that  time  has  bubbled  about  as 
much  as  in  the  ordinary  pig  and  scrap  operation;  it  becomes  gradually 
more  and  more  quiet,  until  its  surface  is  smooth  and  scarcely  broken  by 
small  and  widely-scattered  bubbles.  When  the  special  pig  is  nearly  all 
melted  the  ferro  manganese  is  thrown  in  hot.  The  casting  takes  place 
immediately.  The  metal  runs  into  the  moulds  without  any  splashing 
and  no  escape  of  gas  is  noticed  during  the  casting  operation. 

Spiegeleiseu  is  used  for  the  initial  bath  because  the  manganese  it  con- 
tains, being  the  most  oxidizable  of  all  the  materials  present,  will  remove 
oxygen  that  may  be  present  in  the  bath,  and  will  intercept  oxygen  that 
tends  to  enter  it,  so  that  the  more  manganese  there  is  in  the  slag  the 
less  oxygen  there  will  be  in  the  metal  below.  By  testing  the  slag  fre- 
quently there  is  constantly  present  a  delicate  test  of  the  oxidation  of 
the  bath.  If  this  precaution  were  not  taken,  and  the  oxygen  were  al- 
lowed to  go  on  accumulating  in  the  bath,  it  would  be  impossible  to  tell 
how  much  there  is  of  it  present  when  the  final  additions  of  silicon  and 
manganese  are  made,  and  how  much  of  these  substances  would  be  re- 


30  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

moved  in  taking  up  this  oxygen.  Therefore  oxygen  must  be  kept  out, 
so  that  the  whole  of  the  ingredients  finally  added  shall  be  left  to  per- 
form their  work. 

The  success  that  has  thus  far  attended  the  development  of  this  man- 
ufacture indicates  a  useful  and  important  future  for  the  process. 

PRESENT  CONDITION  OF  FRENCH  ARTILLERY. 

The  artillery  of  the  army  is  under  the  control  of  the  director  of  ar- 
tillery in  the  war  department.  All  guns  for  the  field  and  for  purposes 
of  siege  and  position  are  fabricated  under  instructions  from  this  office. 

The  list  of  guns  under  these  heads,  now  actually  in  use,  comprises  a 
large  number  of  models  and  varied  constructions.  This  is  the  result  of 
the  hurried  manner  in  which,  before  the  end  of  the  last  war,  guns  of  all 
available  descriptions  were  collected  by  the  Government.  During  late 
years,  while  the  re-arming  of  the  country  has  been  progressing,  a  system- 
atic method  of  armament  has  been  adopted ;  but  this  has  not,  up  to  this 
time,  so  far  advanced  as  to  justify  the  exclusion  of  the  old  guns  from 
the  list  of  those  in  actual  use.  As  the  number  of  the  new  guns,  how- 
ever, shall  increase  they  will  be  substituted  for  the  old;  consequently, 
in  presenting  the  present  condition  of  the  artillery  of  the  army,  the  old 
are  alluded  to  only  in  a  general  way. 

Omitting  mention,  then,  of  the  bronze  smooth-bore  and  bronze  and 
cast-iron  rifled  pieces  of  old  date,  the  following  may  be  stated  as  the 
present  armament  of  the  artillery  of  the  army  : 

Kilos. 

80-inillimetre  (piece  de  montagne),  weighing 105 

80-millimetre  (piece  de  campagne),  weighing 425 

90-millimetre,  weighing 530 

95-millimetre,  weighing 710 

120-millimetre  (piece  de  siege  et  position),  weighing 1,200 

155-millimetre  (piece  de  siege  et  position),  weighing 2,527 

190-millimetre  (piece  de  siege  et  position),  weighing 8,000 

240-millimetre,  weighing 17,000 

220-millimetre  (steel  rifled  mortar). 
Revolving  cannon  (model  of  1879),  Hotchkiss. 

These  guns,  with  the  exception  of  the  revolving  cannon  last  named, 
are  all  constructed  on  the  system  of  Colonel  de  Bange,  late  of  the  army. 
In  addition  to  them,  the  army  gun  factories  are  employed  in  the  manu- 
facture of  a  large  number  of  24-centimetre  guns  which  have  a  cast-iron 
body  tubed  and  hooped  with  steel.  They  are  made  to  assist  in  arming 
the  coast.  They  are  also  much  more  economical  than  all-steel  guns. 

The  ordnance  of  the  navy  is  attached  to  a  department  in  the  ministry 
of  marine,  called  the  u  Direction  of  Material."  The  bureau  of  the  artil- 
lery of  the  navy  is  one  of  several  bureaus  under  this  "  Direction,"  and 
is  presided  over  by  an  officer,  "  charge  du  service  technique,"  who  is 
virtually  the  chief  of  naval  artillery.  This  position  is  filled  at  present 
by  General  Dard,  an  officer  of  great  eminence  in  the  marine  artillery 
of  France. 

The  list  of  guns  of  the  marine  artillery  comprises  a  large  number  of 
calibers  ;  and  the  variety  in  their  construction  shows  the  growth  and  de- 
velopment of  the  idea  which  has  finally  resulted  in  an  armament  for 
the  navy  of  guns  constructed  entirely  of  steel,  including  the  following 
calibers!,  viz :  65  and  90  millimetres,  14,  16,  19,  24,  27,  32,  34,  37,  and  42 
centimetres.  The  Hotchkiss  revolving  cannon  also  forms  an  important 
element  in  this  armament. 

Many  of  these  guns,  including  some  of  32  centimetres,  are  models  of 


FRANCE.  3  L 

previous  years — cast-iron  bodies  hooped  with  steel;  cast-iron  bodies 
with  half  tubes  of  steel  and  hooped ;  cast-iron  bodies  with  steel  tube 
extending  the  whole  length  of  the  bore  and  hooped  with  steel — all  indi- 
cating the  persistent  effort  that  has  been  heretofore  made  to  utilize  cast 
iron.  The  other  guns  mentioned  above  are  entirely  of  steel. 

The  marine  artillery  is  engaged  in  the  construction  of  a  modification 
of  the  27-centimetre  and  32-centimetre  guns  of  model  1870,  to  be  called 
the  model  1870-'81.  They  are  to  be  of  cast  iron,  tubed  and  hooped  with 
steel ;  their  length  will  be  increased  to  fire  heavier  charges  than  the 
model  1870,  giving  a  velocity  of  530  metres;  <jight  27-centimetre  and 
twenty-six  32-ceutimetre  guns  of  this  pattern  are  under  construction. 

The  37-centimetre  and  42-centimetre  guns  were  in  hand  when  Gen- 
eral Dard  came  into  his  present  office,  and  will  be  completed.  Their 
weights,  respectively,  are  72  and  75  tons,  and  their  construction  is  the 
same. 

Eight  42-centimetre  guus  are  in  process  of  construction,  assigned  to 
the  following  turreted ships,  viz:  Indomptable,  Requin, Terrible,  Caiman. 

One  gun  weighing  100  tons  has  been  built  by  the  marine  artillery  at 
Euelle,  but  it  is  of  42-centimetre  caliber,  with  the  same  sized  tube  as 
that  in  the  75-ton  gun.  It  is,  in  fact,  the  42-centimetre  gun,  with  a  body 
of  cast  iron  instead  of  steel.  Being  constructed  for  the  purpose  of  de- 
ciding all  the  ballistic  particulars  of  the  75-ton  gun,  cast-iron  was  em- 
ployed for  economic  considerations. 

The  following  are  accepted  by  the  bureau  of  marine  artillery  for  the 
future  armaments  of  the  navy,  and  will  be  entirely  of  steel,  viz  : 

65-millimetre 

90-millimetre 

10-centimetre 

Length  in  calibers. 

14-centimetre  shell  gun 30 

16-eentimetre  (light),  with  one  row  of  hoops 28£ 

16-centimetre  (heavy),  with  two  rows  of  hoops 28£ 

24-centimetre 28£ 

27-centimetre 28-J 

34-centiemtre,  44  tons  weight 18 

34-centimetre,  48  tons  weight 21 

34-centimetre,  49  tons  weight 25 

34-centimetre,  52£  tons  weight 28-J 

Material. — Although  the  gun  factories  of  the  army  and  marine 
artillery  are  engaged  in  the  fabrication  of  guns  with  cast-iron  bodies, 
and  though  Colonel  de  Bange.  advocates  puddled  steel  for  hoops,  the 
effort  to  perpetuate  the  use  of  cast  iron  is  now  definitely  abandoned  as 
far  as  the  navy  is  concerned,  and  the  employment  of  forged  cast-steel 
will  be  generally  accepted. 

Construction. — The  army  guns  are  fabricated  on  the  system  of 
Colonel  de  Bange.  This  construction  requires  an  oil-tempered  and  an- 
nealed steel  tube  with  hoops  shrunk  on  in  such  numbers  and  in  as  many 
layers  as  are  necessary  to  resist  the  strain  brought  on  them  by  the 
charge.  The  hoops  are  made  of  puddled  steel,  coiled  and  welded.  This 
construction  is  carried  to  the  240-millimetre  gun,  of  which  there  are 
very  few  in  the  service. 

There  is  a  serious  effort  on  the  part  of  the  officers  of  the  artillery  to 
introduce  a  change  in  the  method  of  construction  so  as  to  have  the  hoops 
made  of  forged  steel,  and  it  is  thought  that  this  may  result  in  intro- 
ducing a  modification  so  far  as  to  have  the  rear  hoop,  in  which  the 
breech  mechanism  is  seated,  and  the  trunnion  hoop  made  of  forged 
steel,  while  the  coiled,  puddled  steel  will  be  retained  for  the  other  parts. 


32  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

There  are  two  constructions  of  the  34  centimetre  gun  of  21  calibers ; 
one  has  a  thick  tube,  with  two  rows  of  hoops ;  in  the  other,  a  thin  tube 
is  covered  its  entire  length  with  a  jacket  of  the  same  thickness  as  the 
tube,  and  two  tiers  of  hoops.  These  guns  are  intended  to  give  an 
initial  velocity  of  600  metres. 

General  Dard  is  experimenting  in  the  direction  of  a  larger  caliber,  and 
has  under  construction  a  gun  of  37  centimetres,  of  the  following  dimen- 
sions, viz : 

Diameter  of  bore centimetres . .  37 

Diameter  of  chamber millimetres..  3&5 

Thickness  of  tube do 140 

Thickness  of  jacket do 142. 5 

Thickness  of  hoops  (1st  row) do 107.5 

Thickness  of  hoops  (2d  row) do 132.  5 

Total  diameter do 1,430 

Total  length do....  11,185 

Length  of  bore do 10,545 

Length  of  breech  mechanism do 640 

Weight  of  gtm tons..  72 

Weight  of  tube do 14.7 

Weight  of  jacket do....  16.4 

Weight  of  ingot  for  tube do 20 

This  gun  is  entirely  of  steel  and  the  tube  is  in  one  piece.  From  its 
great  length  it  is  evident  that  a  large  charge  of  powder  can  be  con- 
sumed in  it,  but  the  proposed  weight  of  charge  and  projectile  is  not 
known. 

The  construction  of  the  37  and  42-centimetre  guns  consists  of  an  in- 
ner tube  in  one  piece,  on  the  rear  end  of  which  is  screwed  a  short  tube 
accommodating  the  breech  mechanism.  The  tube  is  enveloped  in  a 
jacket,  composed  of  two  pieces  hooked  together  forward  of  the  trunn- 
ions and  inclosed  by  two  layers  of  hoops. 

The  above  presents,  in  a  condensed  form,  the  present  condition  of 
construction  in  France.  Particulars  of  most  of  these  guns  are  pub- 
lished and  can  be  referred  to  at  pleasure.  The  only  new  guns  to  be  de- 
veloped are  those  of  General  Dard  and  Colonel  de  Bauge,  both  of  whom 
propose  a  34-centiinetre  gun.  Some  particulars  of  the  Dard  gun  have 
been  given  above. 

The  de  Bange  gun  is  made  up  of  an  interior  tube  and  three  rows  of 
hoops,  and  the  following  are  some  of  the  particulars : 

Caliber . centimetres . .  34 

Weight tons . .  37 

Charge  of  powder kilogrammes..  180 

Weight  of  projectile... do 450 

Calculated  velocity metres..  610 

Outside  diameter  at  breech millimetres . .  940 

Rows  of  hoops  at  breech do 3 

Rows  of  hoops  at  muzzle do 3 

Energy  expected  to  be  developed  per  ton  of  gun metre  tons. .  230 

Weight  of  carriage tons . .  24 

Weight  of  Slide do....  30 

The  high  velocity  and  great  energy  claimed  are  said  to  be  due  to  some 
peculiarity  of  the  cartridge.  The  novel  feature,  however,  in  the  gun 
lies  in  the  manner  in  which  it  is  proposed  to  insure  longitudinal  strength 
by  the  grip  of  the  hoops  on  the  tube  and  on  each  other.  The  outer 
surface  of  the  tube  presents  a  series  of  conical  undulations;  the  inte- 
rior surface  of  the  first  row  of  hoops  corresponds  with  the  form  of  that 
portion  of  the  tube  which  they  envelop,  and  a  similar  form  is  carried 
to  the  exterior  of  the  hoop,  thus  continuing  the  same  adjustment  of 
parts  to  the  third  layer,  the  outer  surfaces  of  which  are  shaped  to  suit 
the  ordinary  form  of  a  gun. 


FRANCE.  33 

In  this  system  each  layer  is  made  to  break  joint  with  that  below  and 
above  it.  The  inventor  is  erecting  a  special  tool  of  his  own  invention, 
said  to  be  capable  of  such  modifications  as  will  enable  it  to  perform  all 
the  operations  of  boring,  turning,  slotting,  rifling,  &c.,  for  which  in  or- 
dinary manufacture  several  tools  are  required.  The  developments  from 
this  experiment  may  prove  very  instructive,  and  will  certainly  be  very 
interesting. 

Breech  Ferineture. — All  the  French  guns  are  breech-loading 
and  are  fitted  with  the  interrupted  screw  system  as  modified  by  Colonel 
de  Bange  to  suit  his  gas-check. 

Gas-Cheek. — The  de  Bange  gas-check  is  universally  employed,  the 
tete -mobile  of  which  is  made  of  crucible  steel  supplied  by  Thomas 
Firth  &  Sons  of  Sheffield,  England. 

Rifling*. — The  rifling  is  polygroove  and  parabolic  in  development. 
The  number  of  grooves  is  equal  to  twice  the  caliber  of  gun,  expressed 
in  centimeters. 

Rotating  Rings. — A  single  rotating  ring  of  copper  is  used  for  all 
calibers.  Its  exact  position  has  been  determined  by  extensive  series  of 
experiments. 

Wire  Construction. — The  exponent  of  the  system  of  wire- 
wrapping  for  cannon  in  France  is  the  Schultz  gun.  A  34-centimetre 
gun  made  on  the  plan  of  Captain  Schultz  was  built  up  as  follows  :  A 
steel  tube  was  wrapped  circumferentially  with  steel  wire  and  inclosed 
in  a  wrought-iron  jacket ;  the  longitudinal  strain  and  the  effort  to  blow 
out  the  breech  was  resisted  by  twelve  longitudinal  bars  of  steel  set  up  at 
as  equal  a  tension  as  possible  between  two  bands  shrunk  on  over  the 
jacket,  the  forward  carrying  the  trunnions  and  the  rear  inclosing  the 
breech  mechanism.  The  gun  was  made  at  the  works  of  the  Compagnie 
de  Fives-Lille,  under  the  supervision  of  Captain  Schultz,  and  was  sent 
to  Gavre  to  be  fired.  Owing  to  the  unequal  tension  of  the  longitudinal 
bars  the  gun  failed  at  the  first  fire.  The  cause  of  the  failure  can  be 
thus  distinctly  asserted  as  the  sound  of  the  successive  ruptures  of  the 
bars  was  recognized  by  those  who  assisted  at  the  experiment. 

Previous  to  its  trial,  and  in  anticipation  of  success,  four  cast-iron  guns 
of  24  centimetres  were  sent  to  Fives- Lille  to  be  converted  on  the  same 
principle.  They  are  tubed  with  steel  as  far  as  the  trunnions,  and  are 
wrapped  with  wire.  The  longitudinal  bars  are  yet  to  be  adjusted,  after 
which  they  will  be  subjected  to  trial,  with  but  faint  hopes  of  success, 
as  the  failure  of  the  original  gun  seems  to  have  indicated  very  posi- 
tively the  mechanical  impossibility  of  securing  an  equal  strain  on  the 
longitudinal  bars.  The  contract,  however,  having  been  made  for  the 
conversion  of  the  four  guns  above  named,  it  will  be  carried  on  to  its 
completion. 

For  future  construction,  however,  the  system  of  taking  up  the  longi- 
tudinal effort  with  bars  is  abandoned,  and  the  34-centimetre  gun  now 
at  Gavre  is  to  be  returned  to  Fives-Lille* for  reconstruction.  This  will 
consist  in  replacing  the  bars  with  a  jacket  shrunk  on  over  the  wire 
wrappings,  and  which,  at  its  forward  end,  will  hook  over  the  band  al- 
ready shrunk  on  the  gun,  and  at  its  rear  end  be  notched  into  the  band 
containing  the  breech  mechanism. 

A  gun  of  10  centimetres  built  upon  this  system  is  now  being  experi- 
mented with  at  Gavre,  and  the  results  have  been  sufficiently  satisfac- 
tory to  justify  enlarging  the  chamber  for  the  purpose  of  testing  the  gun 
with  increased  charges. 

The  above  exhibits  the  present  condition  of  this  problem  in  France. 

H.  Ex.  97 3 


34  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 


GERMANY. 

Among  the  places  that  the  Board  desired  to  visit  in  Europe  was  in- 
cluded the  famous  establishment  of  Mr.  Fried.  Krupp,  at  Essen,  in 
Westphalia;  and,  as  in  all  cases  where  it  was  proposed  to  visit  private 
works,  a  letter  was  addressed  to  Mr.  Krupp,  through  his  agent  in 
London,  requesting  the  necessary  permission. 

The  permission  was  refused.  The  correspondence  relating  to  this  sub- 
ject will  be  found  in  the  files  attached  to  the  record  of  proceedings  and 
in  Appendices  O,  P,  Q,  E,  S,  T,  U,  V,  of  this  report. 

From  the  above  statement  it  will  be  seen  that  the  Board  is  unable  to 
submit  any  information  founded  upon  personal  observation.  For  the 
general  purposes,  however,  of  this  report  the  following  statements  will 
be  appropriate : 

With  the  exception  of  the  small  gun  factory  at  Spaudau,  near  Berlin r 
where  a  limited  number  of  cannon  up  to  15  centimetres  and  some 
rifled  mortars  are  fabricated,  the  source  from  which  the  armaments  of 
Germany  are  supplied  is  the  establishment  of  Mr.  Fried..  Krupp. 
The  Government  has  no  control  over  the  works,  consequently  the  prin- 
cipal dependence  is  on  this  private  company.  Owing  to  the  great  en- 
terprise exhibited  in  the  management,  and  to  the  support  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, the  establishment  has,  for  many  years,  enjoyed  a  monopoly  of 
the  manufacture  of  cannon  for  Germany  and  it  has  been  enabled  to 
furnish  guns  to  many  other  powers,  notably  to  Eussia. 

As  to  the  condition  of  the  steel  manufacture  as  relates  to  cannon,  it 
is  known  that  it  was  the  practice  to  cast  gun  ingots  exclusively  of  steel 
prepared  in  crucibles  ;  ingots  of  the  weight  of  80  tons  have  been  cast 
from  crucibles  more  than  12  years  ago.  The  Board  is  not  able  to  state 
whether  gun  ingots  are  now  cast  exclusively  from  crucibles  or  whether 
they  are  now  made  from  open-hearth  furnaces. 

The  following  is  the  present  condition  of  the  German  artillery,  taken 
from  official  sources : 

Calibers. 

8-centimetre  pivot-canDon 

8.4-centimetre-field-gun 25. 6 

8.7-centimetre 50 

10.5-centimetre 

10.5-centimetre 35 

10.7-centimetre  pivot-cannon 

12-centimetre,  navy  and  coast,  light 25 

12-centimetre 30 

15-centimetre  pivot-cannon 

15-centimetre  siege-gun 

15-centimetre,  navy  and  coast 25 

15-centimetre 30 

15- centimetre,  navy  and  coast 35 

21-centimetre , 30 

21-centimetre  mortar - 

24-centimetre,  19  tons 30 

24-centimetre,  21  tons 35 

26-centimetre 35 

28-centimetre 35 

30.5-centimetre,  light,  32  tons 25 

30.5-centimetre,  heavy 25 

30.5-centimetre,  43  tons 30 

30.5-centimetre,  navy  and  coast,  48  tons 35 

35. 5- centimetre,  51  tons    25 

35.5-centimetre,  68  tons 30 

35.5-centimetre,  76  tons 35 

40-centimetre,  72  tons 25 

40-centimetre,  97  tons 30 

40-centimetre,  109  tons 35 


GERMANY.  35 

The  power  of  the  Krupp  gun  is  best  illustrated  by  the  reports  of 
firings  that  took  place  at  Meppen  in  1879  and  subsequently.  These 
reports  are  available  for  reference. 

The  material  used  in  the  construction  of  the  Krupp  guns  is  steel. 

The  system  of  construction  is  that  of  a  built-up  gun,  with  tube  and 
hoops.  In  the  larger  guns  of  latest  design  the  first  hoop  shrunk  on 
the  rear  of  the  tube  is  lengthened,  resembling  the  jacket  of  the  Vavas- 
seur  design. 

The  fermeture  is  the  cylindro-prismatic  wedge,  modified  from  the  orig- 
inal invention  of  Mr.  Broad  well,  and  adopted  by  Mr.  Krupp.  The  gas- 
check  is  also  the  invention  of  Mr.  Broad  well  and  bears  his  name. 

The  Board  can  give  no  information  upon  the  subject  of  wire-construc- 
tion in  Germany. 

The  essential  point  to  be  observed  in  this  short  notice  is  that  the  main 
supply  of  the  artillery  of  Germany  is  drawn  from  one  private  firm.  In 
this  respect  the  method  differs  froin  that  followed  either  in  England  or 
in  France.  It  goes  without  saying  that  the  Government  pays  a  high 
price  for  the  manufactured  article. 


RUSSIA. 

SOURCES  FROM  WHICH   THE  ARMAMENT   OF  RUSSIA  IS   SUPPLIED, 

The  Government  of  Kussia  has  been  an  extensive  purchaser  of  can- 
non from  Mr.  Krupp,  at  Essen ;  but,  after  adopting  the  Krupp  gun  for 
its  armament,  it  proceeded  to  manufacture  on  that  system  for  its  own 
uses. 

The  course  pursued  to  produce  a  supply  from  home  manufacture  was 
that  of  joint  action  between  the  Government  and  a  private  firm.  The 
large  steel  works  of  Aboukhoff,  near  St.  Petersburg,  was  the  establish- 
ment with  which  the  Government  entered  into  partnership,  becoming 
the  owner  of  one-third  of  the  stock.  The  Government  is  represented  in 
the  board  of  directors,  the  works  are  in  the  hands  of  the  Minister  of 
Marine  and  Admiral  Kolokoltzoff  is  the  chief  administrator  or  superin- 
tendent. At  the  commencement  of  the  joint  action,  the  Government 
contributed  largely  to  increase  the  plant  by  providing  tools  suitable  for 
its  work,  and  very  substantial  aid  has  been  provided  from  time  to  time. 

The  substance  of  this  statement  was  collected  from  parties  with  whom 
intercourse  was  held,  who  did  not,  in  distinct  words,  condemn  the  prac- 
tice under  which  the  Government  has  been  acting  since  it  commenced 
to  manufacture  its  own  guns,  but  they  evidently  held  the  idea  that  the 
condition  of  affairs  would  be  much  improved  if  the  Government  had 
absolute  control  of  the  works.  In  order  to  achieve  this  object  it  was 
understood  that  the  Government  is  soon  to  acquire  such  additional 
stock  as  will  make  it  owner  of  about  two-thirds  of  the  whole.  When 
this  shall  be  accomplished  it  is  thought  that  the  Government  will  be 
able  to  produce  its  guns  at  less  expense  than  is  now  incurred. 

It  was  freely  admitted  that  the  material  produced  under  this  system 
of  joint  action  has  been  at  great  cost,  but  the  Government  has  recon- 
ciled itself  by  the  conviction  that  the  product  was  of  first-class  quality 
and  better  than  could  be  procured  from  other  sources  at  less  expense. 
The  ground  is  taken  that,  in  a  matter  so  important  as  armament,  high 
price  is  not  to  be  considered  an  obstacle  to  the  possession  of  the  best  guns 


36  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

that  can  be  produced,  and  the  authorities  believe  they  have  attained 
this  object  in  their  manufacture. 

This  experience  of  the  Russian  Government  in  its  joint  action  with 
the  Aboukhoff  Steel  Works  bears  directly  upon  one  of  the  most  impor- 
tant points  that  the  Board  is  required  to  consider,  viz,  "any  other 
method  "  apart  from  a  Government  foundry,  pure  and  simple,  by  which 
cannon  can  be  provided ;  and  the  results  above  cited  demonstrate  that 
in  this  combination  in  Russia,  as  in  that  between  the  English  Govern- 
ment and  the  Els^ick  Ordnance  Company,  the  Government  must  always 
expect  to  bear  the  loss 

The  acquisition  of  additional  stock  may  give  the  Government  such 
control  in  the  direction  of  the  business  of  the  works  as  to  smooth  the 
way  to  its  possession  of  the  whole.  This  seems  to  be  the  natural  con- 
clusion of  the  process  now  in  operation,  and  its  consummation  would  be 
a  declaration  of  the  practical  failure  of  the  plan  inaugurated  at  the  com- 
mencement. The  experience  of  joint  action  between  the  Government 
and  a  private  firm  in  Russia  does  not  encourage  the  experiment  in  our 
own  country. 

Nearly  the  entire  production  of  steel  for  cannon  is  distributed  be- 
tween the  Aboukhoff  Steel  Works  and  the  Kama,  near  Perm  (in  the  Ural 
Mountains),  but  the  product  of  the  former  is  the  more  considerable. 
Among  others,  the  Izuoskof  and  Alexandroff  private  steel  works  (both 
near  St.  Petersburg)  manufacture  projectiles,  and  as  the  Government 
diminishes  its  contracts  abroad  they  will  develop  their  plants  to  meet 
the  demands  for  gun  material. 

Russian  Artillery-Gun  Factory.— Although  the  amount  of 
field  artillery  and  siege  pieces  in  the  possession  of  the  Government  is 
very  large  the  work  of  manufacture  is  actively  progressing,  and  the 
Russian  Artillery  Gun-Factory  in  St.  Petersburg  is  constantly  occu- 
pied in  the  construction  of  guns  up  to  and  including  the  8-inch,  and  rifled 
mortars  of  9-inch  caliber.  This  factory  is  well  supplied  with  tools,  has 
a  capacity  to  turn  out  70  field  guns  per  month  and  is  rapidly  replacing 
the  older  models  on  hand  ;  but  its  plant  is  not  equal  to  all  the  work  de- 
manded of  it.  The  deficiencies  are  supplemented  by  the  Aboukhoff 
Works. 

A  hou  k  hof  I*  \Vorks. — The  Aboukhoff  Works,  which  include  the 
manufacture  of  steel  on  a  large  scale  and  the  fabrication  of  cannon 
of  all  calibers,  both  for  the  army  and  the  navy,  are  situated  in  the  al- 
luvial basin  of  the  ^S"eva  River,  where  good  foundations  are  to  be  had 
only  at  great  expense.  The  excavation  for  the  50-ton  hammer  was  car- 
ried down  50  feet  before  moderately  hard  bottom  (gravel)  was  reached. 
This  cause  has  added  largely  to  the  general'cost  of  construction  of  the 
works. 

The  shops  are  extensive  and  numerous,  but  as  they  have  been  erected 
as  needed,  without  regard  to  any  general  plan,  they  furnish  no  guide  for 
constructing  a  new  establishment.  The  largest  gun  shop  is  700  feet 
long  and  70  feet  wide,  with  the  tools  disposed  longitudinally.  The  sever- 
ity of  the  climate  has  rendered  it  necessary  to  seal  overhead  with  wood, 
and  from  this  cause  the  shop  is  not  so  well  lighted  as  is  usual  in  Eu- 
rope. The  plant  is  of  good  quality  and  is  being  extensively  developed. 
In  the  foundry  advantage  has  been  taken  of  the  undulations  of  the 
ground  to  place  the  forge  at  a  lower  level  than  the  furnaces,  thus  con- 
veniently providing  for  the  transportation  of  the  hot  ingots  by  railway 
direct  from  the  bottom  of  the  casting  pit  to  the  hammers.  The  capacity 
for  casting  reaches  from  40  to  50  tons,  requiring  1,200  crucibles. 


RUSSIA.  37 

CONDITION   OF   STEEL  MANUFACTURE. 

There  can  be  no  question  as  to  the  character  of  the  ore  from  which 
the  metal  used  for  cannon  in  Russia  is  produced.  The  Russian  mines, 
from  which  much  of  it  is  obtained,  are  situated  in  the  Ural  Mountains 
on  the  border  of  Siberia.  The  ore  is  smelted  with  charcoal,  and  the 
iron  is  fully  equal  to  the  famed  iron  of  Sweden.  It  is  received  at  the 
Aboukhoff  Works  in  the  form  of  cast  and  wrought  iron.  Use  is  also 
made  of  the  best  Swedish  and  Spanish  iron. 

The  puddled  steel,  which  is  the  basis  of  the  Russian  gun-metal,  is 
prepared  at  Perm  and  at  the  Aboukhoff  Works,  The  steel  for  casting 
all  gun  tubes,  jackets  and  large  hoops,  is  prepared  in  crucibles.  «A  por- 
tion of  the  magnetic  ore,  which  is  found  in  the  Ural,  is  one  of  the  ele- 
ments introduced  into  the  crucibles  and  is  said  to  have  a  beneficial 
effect  upon  the  mixture. 

Hoops  for  some  small  guns  are  made  of  Bessemer  steel,  the  charge 
being  selected  from  the  best  Ural  and  Swedish  ores.  The  Siemens- 
Martin  Process  is  restricted  to  the  manufacture  of  small  ingots,  being 
regarded  with  much  less  favor  than  crucible  castings. 

The  most  important  improvement  which  has  recently  been  introduced 
is  Sir  Joseph  Whitworth's  system  of  liquid  compression.  The  advan- 
tages of  this  press  have  been  alluded  to  in  a  former  part  of  this  report 
and  need  not  be  again  recited.  At  the  Aboukhoff  Works,  the  effect  of 
liquid  compression  is  considered  as  very  beneficial,  and  the  impression 
was  received  that  the  system  of  forging  by  the  press  would  also  have 
been  adopted  if  there  had  not  already  been  established  at  the  works 
one  of  the  largest  and  most  expensive  hammers  in  the  world,  the  tup 
of  which  weighs  50  tons,  with  a  fall  of  12  feet. 

PRESENT   CONDITION   OF    RUSSIAN   ARTILLERY. 

Russia  has  adopted  the  Krupp  breech-loading  system  with  slight 
modifications  for  all  calibers,  but  a  few  guns  fitted  with  the  French  in- 
terrupted screw  were  noted.  Steel  alone  is  used  for  new  fabrications. 

The  heavy  ordnance  for  naval  and  sea  coast  defense  is  designed  to 
give  velocities  from  1,700  to  1,800  feet;  but  experiments  to  gain  an  in- 
crease, by  lengthening  the  bore,  are  in  progress.  The  following  are  the 
principal  calibers: 

12-inch  40-ton  guns,  20  calibers  long,  are  adapted  for  arming  the 
"Peter  the  Great"  and  the  u  Popoff"— one,  30  calibers  in  length,  weigh- 
ing 50  tons,  and  burning  390  pounds  of  powder,  is  now  under  trial. 

11-inch  27-ton  guns,  22  calibers  long,  are  used  in  several  turret  ships 
and  in  sea-coast  batteries.  The  tube  requires  a  30- ton  ingot. 

There  are  also  many  naval  9  inch,  8  inch,  and  6  inch  guns  about  22 
calibers  long,  in  service;  but  the  models  will  soon  be  modified  by  in- 
creasing the  length.  For  laud  fortresses  the  6  inch  gun  is  the  prevail- 
ing type.  Most  siege  guns  on  hand  are  of  bronze,  but  a  new  steel  pat- 
tern will  be  adopted  for  future  fabrication. 

A  recent  accident  gave  a  severe  test  to  the  system  of  construction 
adopted  for  Russian  artillery.  In  experimenting  with  gun-cotton  for 
use  in  shells,  one  of  the  latter,  containing  40  pounds,  exploded  in  the 
chamber  of  an  11-inch  gun  when  the  charge  of  gunpowder  (128  pounds) 
was  fired.  The  rear  part  of  the  breech  was  blown  off  at  the  weak  point 
of  the  Krupp  system.  The  trunnion-baud  was  broken,  throwing  off 
a  fragment  j  and  the  diameter  of  the  chamber  was  enlarged  1  inch.  The 


38  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

admirable  quality  of  the  metal,  and  the  good  adjustment  of  the  strength 
of  the  several  parts  is  evident  from  this  statement. 

In  testing  steel  no  value  is  attached  to  the  ultimate  breaking  stress 
or  percentage  of  elongation ;  and  the  computations  are  all  based  on  the 
elastic  limit  which  is  determined  by  noting  where  the  increasing  stresses 
and  elongations  cease  to  be  proportional.  This  must  never  occur  be- 
low 2,400  atmospheres  (16  tons  per  square  inch). 

€'oii*t  ruction. — All  field  guns  are  of  steel,  and  are  mounted  on  a 
carriage  fitted  with  rubber  buffers  to  reduce  the  shock. 

The  special  novelty  of  the  Eussian  ordnance  is  a  thin  steel  lining  tube, 
designed  to  receive  the  wear  in  firing  and  to  be  renewed  when  needful, 
without  the  expense  and  difficulty  of  re-tubing.  This  system  is  adopted 
for  all  calibers  from  the  smallest  up  to  the  12-ruch  gun,  inclusive.  The 
operation  of  inserting  one  of  these  lining  tubes .  in  a  field  gun  was 
witnessed  at  Aboukhoff.  The  difference  of  their  diameters  was  very 
small.  The  fitting  of  the  slightly  conical  surfaces  by  measurement  be- 
fore insertion  was  done  with  precision. 

When  ready  for  insertion  the  lining  tube  was  lubricated  and  intro- 
duced by  hand.  It  was  forced  by  hand  levers  until  the  end  was  nearly 
flush  with  the  breech ;  hydraulic  power  then  applied  by  a  hand-pump 
was  gradually  increased  to  a  pressure  of  180  atmospheres,  although  no 
motion  was  apparent  after  it  had  reached  100  atmospheres.  The  rear 
end  of  the  lining  tube  forms  the  recess  for  the  Broad  well  ring. 

The  Kussian  officers  claim  that  these  tubes  can  be  renewed  in  the  field, 
and  cited  instances  of  two  9-inch  mortars,  weighing  5J  tons  each,  needed 
for  use  on  the  Danube  during  the  late  war.  Being  too  heavy  for  the 
available  means  of  transportation  they  were  forwarded  in  three  pieces — 
a  tube,  a  breech -jacket  and  a  muzzle-jacket.  The  two  latter  were 
screwed  together,  and  the  tube  was  inserted  by  a  jack  on  the  spot ;  both 
mortars  did  excellent  service. 

Sheets  of  recent  unpublished  experiments  were  exhibited,  showing  the 
locus  of  the  varying  pressure  in  the  bore  of  a  long  4.2-inch  gun.  These 
pressures  were  measured  by  Eodman  gauges  in  the  usual  way,  special 
care  being  taken  to  place  the  part  acted  upon  by  the  gas  nearly  flush 
with  the  bore.  The  results  thus  far  have  proved  quite  accordant  and 
very  interesting,  indicating  that  as  the  distance  from  the  bottom  of  the 
bore  increases  the  pressures  at  first  decrease  a  little,  and  then  rapidly 
increase  to  a  maximum  at  a  point  slightly  in  rear  of  that  originally  oc- 
cupied by  the  front  band  of  the  projectile.  Here  the  pressure  is  nearly 
double  that  at  the  bottom  of  the  bore,  and  evidently  is  increased  by  the 
reaction  from  the  shot  at  the  instant  of  taking  the  grooves.  This  investi- 
gation has  much  importance  in  connection  with  the  problem  of  the  best 
form  and  dimensions  for  the  powder  chamber.  The  experiments  are  to 
be  continued  with  a  16-inch  80-ton  steel  gun  made  at  Aboukhoff  and 
fitted  for  this  purpose.  It  is  22  calibers  long  and  constructed  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner,  viz.:  tube  in  one  piece ;  jacket  in  three  parts  extending 
to  muzzle ;  four  layers  of  hoops  and  a  fifth  hoop  over  the  breech.  It  is 
pierced  at  various  points  to  receive  the  gauges. 

An  experimental  11-inch  47-ton  all-steel  gun,  35  calibers  long,  consist- 
ing of  tube,  jacket  in  two  parts  extending  to  muzzle,  and  three  layers  of 
tapering  hoops,  was  ready  for  trial. 

Rotating*  Ring'*. — Projectiles  are  fitted  with  two  copper  bands, 
the  front  one  to  give  a  uniform  bearing  and  the  rear  to  take  the  rifling. 
Both  are  made  of  rods  hammered  into  place  by  hand,  because  this  is 
supposed  to  give  a  better  hold  than  can  be  had  by  machinery. 

The  experiments  with  Russian  artillery  are  made  at  the  Polygon  at 


THE    UNITED    STATES.  39 

Ochta,  near  St.  Petersburg.  The  grounds  afford  a  range  of  about  7 
miles,  and  the  establishment  of  the  navy,  under  Admiral  Kouprianoff, 
and  of  the  army,  under  General  Erme,  are  side  by  side,  so  that  each 
service  can  always  witness  what  is  done  by  the  other.  A  12-inch  50-ton 
rifle,  an  11-inch  and  several  smaller  guns  were  in  position  at  our  visit. 


THE    UNITED    STATES. 

SOURCES  FROM  WHICH   THE  ARMANENT    OF   THE    UNITED   STATES  IS 

SUPPLIED. 

Previous  to  and  during  the  civil  war  the  armaments  of  the  United 
States  were  supplied  from — 

The  Cold  Spring  Foundry,  West  Point,  K  Y. 

The  South  Boston  Iron  Works,  Boston,  Mass. 

The  Fort  Pitt  Foundry,  Pittsburgh,  Pa, 

The  Eeading  Iron  Works,  Eeading,  Pa. 

The  Builders'  Iron  Foundry,  Providence,  E.  I. 

The  Phcenix  Iron  Company,  Phcenixville,  Pa. 

The  Ames  Manufacturing  Company,  Chicopee,  Mass. 

Since  the  termination  of  the  war  the  Fort  Pitt  Foundry  has  ceased 
to  exist.  The  South  Boston  Iron  Works  Company  has  manufactured 
a  few  experimental  guns,  and  with  the  West  Point  Foundry  has  executed 
some  small  orders  of  the  Government  iu  the  conversion  of  cast-iron 
smooth-bores  into  rifle  guns  by  inserting  and  rifling  a  coiled  wrought 
iron  tube. 

None  of  the  companies  mentioned  above  have  ever  made  steel  guns, 
and  virtually  the  United  States  is  destitute  of  a  source  from  which  such 
an  armament  as  the  age  demands  can  be  supplied. 

CONDITION  OF   STEEL  MANUFACTURE. 

With  a  view  to  such  experiments  as  their  appropriations  would  justify, 
the  Ordnance  Bureaus  of  the  War  and  Navy  Departments  have  from 
time  to  time  addressed  the  steel  manufacturers  of  the  country  on  the 
subject  of  furnishing  steel  for  cannon,  but  thus  far  have  met  with  only 
a  partial  success. 

The  reasons  for  this  will  be  noticed  farther  on  in  this  report,  but  the 
fact  is  here  stated  to  emphasize  the  conclusion  that  the  immense  steel 
works  of  the  United  States,  from  lack  of  demand  for  this  special  mate- 
rial, have  not  the  necessary  plant  for  forging,  and  are  in  no  condition  at 
present  to  manufacture  steel  for  cannon  in  such  quantities  and  in  such 
sizes  as  are  essential  for  a  suitable  armament  for  the  country. 

PRESENT   CONDITION  OF   THE  ARTILLERY  OF  THE  UNITED   STATES. 

To  recite  under  this  heading  the  present  armament  of  the  country  is 
unnecessary.  Before  the  introduction  of  rifled  cannon  and  the  use  of 
steel  as  the  material  for  their  construction,  the  United  States  boasted 
of  her  Dahlgren  and  Eodman  cast-iron  guns,  which  were  the  models 
for  imitation  and  the  standards  for  comparison  of  all  nations. 

While  the  rest  of  the  world  has  advanced  with  the  progress  of  the 
age,  the  artillery  of  the  United  States  has  made  no  step  forwards.  Its 
present  condition  of  inferiority  is  only  the  natural  result  of  such  want 
of  action. 


40  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 


COST  OF  PLANT  FOR  THE  MANUFACTURE  OF  GUNS. 

From  information  gained  in  its  investigations  and  from  consultation 
with  the  managers  of  those  large  establishments  abroad  where  gun 
tools  are  made,  the  Board  submits  the  following  estimates. 

As  it  will  recommend  that  "  for  the  manufacture  of  heavy  ordnance 
adapted  to  modern  warfare,"  the  steel  should  be  produced  by  private 
companies  and  the  guns  fabricated  in  Government  shops,  these  estimates 
will  be  made  under  three  heads,  viz : 

Machines  and  tools  for  steel  plant. 

Machines  and  tools  for  gun  factory. 

Buildings. 

MACHINES  A1¥D  TOOLS  FOR  STEEL  PLANT. 

On  the  matter  of  plant  for  casting  and  forging  the  Board  obtained 
information  chiefly  from  Sir  Joseph  Whitworth  &.Co.,  of  Manchester, 
and  from  Messrs.  Tannett,  Walker  &  Co.,  of  Leeds,  England. 

The  following  is  an  approximate  cost  of  plant  for  casting  and  forging 
ingots  up  to  100  tons,  submited  by  Tannett,  Walker  &  Co. : 

Sixteen  groups  (4  each)  gas  producers. 

Ten  12-ton  Siemens  furnaces. 

Two  large  reheating  furnaces. 

Five  24-ton  hydraulic  center-casting  cranes. 

Six  5-ton  ingot  cranes. 

Two  170-ton  and  two  30-ton  power  traveling  cranes,  50  feet  span,  with  engines. 

Two  24  feet  by  19  feet  hydraulic  accumulators. 

Two  pairs  pumping  engines;  either  18  inches  by  24  inches  (single),  or  15  inches  by 
28  inches  by  24  inches  (compound). 

One  overhead  tank. 

Pipes  for  above  hydraulic  cranes. 

One  3,000-ton  hydraulic  press. 

One  pair  pumping  engines  for  working  press. 

Total  cost,  exclusive  of  buildings,  about  $300,000. 

This  estimate  does  not  include  tools  for  rough  boring  or  turning,  nor 
appliances  for  tempering. 

The  additional  cost  of  these  tools  and  appliances  should  be  added  as 
forming  part  of  the  expenses  properly  belonging  to  the  foundry.  As 
will  appear  hereafter,  the  cost  of  a  complete  plant  for  rough  boring  and 
turning,  including  all  guns  up  to  100  tons,  will  be  about  $210,000;  the 
tempering  pit,  furnaces,  &c.,  will  cost  about  $50,000  ;  which,  exclusive 
of  buildings,  would,  upon  the  estimate  of  Tannett,  Walker  &  Co.,  make 
the  total  cost  of  a  plant  capable  of  casting,  forging,  rough  boring,  rough 
turning  and  tempering  the  parts  of  guns  up  to  100  tons,  about  $560,000. 

The  following  is  an  estimate  from  another  source,  for  a  100-ton  ingot 
steel  plant,  confined  exclusively  to  the  process  of  casting: 

Eight  15-ton  Siemens  furnaces,  with  platform  and  producers  complete. 

Two  ordinary  travelers  for  ingot-pit. 

Eight  15-ton'ladles. 

Railway  metal  and  laying. 

Hydraulic  cranes. 

Cost,  exclusive  of  buildings,  about  $215,000. 

The  following  is  an  approximate  price  of  a  plant  for  casting  and  forg- 
ing 72- ton  ingots: 

Ten  groups  (4  each)  gas  producers. 

Six  12-ton  Siemens  furnaces. 

Two  large  reheating  furnaces. 

Three  24-ton  hydraulic  center- casting  cranes. 


MACHINES   AND    TOOLS.  41 

Pipes  for  hydraulic  cranes. 

Four  5-ton  ingot  cranes. 

Two  100-ton  and  two  30-ton  power  traveling  cranes,  50  feet  span,  with  engines. 

Two  18-feet  by  19  feet  hydraulic  accumulators. 

Two  pairs  pumping  engines,  either  18  inches  by  24  inches  (single),  or  15  inches  by 

28  inches  by  24  inches  (compound). 
One  overhead  tank. 
One  3,000-ton  hydraulic  press. 
One  pair  pumping  engines  for  working  press. 
Cost,  exclusive  oi'  buildings,  about  $205,000. 

The  following  is  an  estimate  submitted  by  Sir  Joseph  Whitworth  for 
a  plant  for  casting  60  ton  ingots: 

Three  20-ton  melting  furnaces,  including  all  steel  and  iron  work,  all  silica  and  fire- 
bricks, valves,  levers,  stages,  ladles,  apparatus  for  making  clay  used  in  the  moulds 
and  ladles,  the  iron  work  and  all  lire-bricks  for  gas  producers*  a  competent  man  ta 
superintend  erection,  but  exclusive  of  all  common  bricks,  brick-setting,  excavating, 
&c.,  $70,000. 

This  plant,  if  supplied  with  a  sufficient  number  of  re-heating  furnaces 
and  kept  in  full  work,  would  be  capable  of  turning  out  150  to  200  tons 
of  large  gun  material  per  week. 

The  following  are  estimates  submitted  by  Sir  Joseph  Whitworth  for 
forging  presses : 

A  34-inch  hydraulic  forging  press,  complete  with  its  engines,  pumps,  boilers,  two 
hydraulic  traveling  cranes,  two  re-heating  furnaces  with  hydraulic  apparatus  for  raising 
the  doors.  An  assortment  of  steel  chucks,  mandrels,  draw-bars,  porter  bars,  swage 
and  other  blocks  for  enlarging  and  reducing  hoops,  &c.,  apparatus  for  withdrawing 
mandrels,  &c.,  $200.000. 

A  24-inch  hydraulic  forging  press,  complete  in  all  details,  as  in  the  case  of  the  large 
one  already  cited,  will  cost  about  $140,000. 

The  forging  press,  though  not  a  new  idea,  has  been  but  little  used  j 
in  fact,  to  this  time,  it  has  been  adopted  in  but  one  large  establishment 
in  the  world  ;  consequently  its  manufacture  is  costly.  Its  general  adop- 
tion is  now  a  matter  of  certainty,  and  its  cost  will  no  doubt  be  reduced  f 
hence,  it  is  probable  that  a  36-inch  forging  press  with  cranes,  engines, 
pumps,  accumulators,  &c.,  exclusive  of  buildings,  may  be  obtained  for 
$150,000. 

If  the  system  of  liquid  compression  should  be  adopted,  the  additional 
cost  of  a  hydraulic  casting  press,  complete,  including  steel  mould  boxes, 
overhead  hydraulic  traveling  cranes  to  lift  100  tons,  including  columns- 
and  girders,  and  complete  in  every  respect,  except  masonry  and  brick- 
work, would  be  $175,000. 

The  following  is  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  tools  for  rough  boring  and 
turning  the  parts  of  guns  for  all  calibers  up  to  16  inches  : 

One  rough-turning  lathe  for  tubes  and  jackets  up  to  12-inch  caliber. 

Three  rough-boring  lathes  for  same. 

One  rough-turning  lathe  for  tubes  and  jackets  up  to  16-inch  caliber. 

Two  rough-boring  lathes  for  same. 

One  100-ton  power  traveling  crane. 

One  20-ton  power  traveling  crane. 

Tools  for  the  above,  including: 

Assorted  tools  for  rough-turning  lathes. 

Forged  cast-steel  boring  bars  with  head  and  steel  cutters  for  boring  tubes  out  of  the 
solid. 

Forged  cast-steel  bars  for  boring  jackets. 

Sets  of  tools  for  each  of  the  hoop  and  trunnion  lathes,  and  for  the  slotting  ma- 
chines. 

The  total  cost  will  be  about  $210,000. 

If  a  complete  set  of  trepanning  tools  were  to  be  furnished  for  the 
work  of  rough  boring,  the  additional  cost  will  be  about  $50,000.  The 
first  cost  of  these  tools  is  very  great,  as  they  are  made  from  very  large 


42  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

ingots  of  cast  steel,  oil  tempered,  which  have  to  be  bored  and  turned 
almost  entirely  away. 

The  above  estimates  respond  to  the  call  of  the  act  of  Congress  so  far 
a,s  relates  to  cost  of  a  steel  plant  for  the  manufacture  of  the  heaviest 
guns,  and  will  answer  some  of  the  inquiries  of,  and  serve  as  a  guide  for, 
th*ose  of  our  steel  manufacturers  who  shall  undertake  to  supply  the 
Government  with  the  required  material  for  modern  artillery. 

As  the  greater  includes  the  less,  it  may  be  taken  for  granted  that  no 
plant  for  smaller  work  can  equal  the  above  estimate.  The  scale  of 
diminution  in  proportion  to  the  weight  of  metal  and  capacity  of  cranes, 
presses,  &c.,  may  be  approximated,  and  the  following  list  of  weight  of 
forgings  required  for  different  calibers  in  the  English  service  will  assist 
the  calculation  : 

Particulars  of  forgings  for  English  gun  tubes. 


Weight- and  caliber  of  gun. 


Weight  of  ingot  cast. 


Weight  of  forging  for  :  Model 

LllDG. 


110  tons 

About  100  tons 

70  tons               .  .  . 

New. 

100  tons  17  inches             ..     . 

C  Breech  part,  27  tons  

21  tons,  2  cwt     ? 

Old. 

80  tons  16  inches      .   .          .  .         .     ... 

}  Muzzle  part,  15  tons  .  .  . 
21  tons  

12  tons,  11£  cwt  > 
17  tons  7  cwt  

Old. 

35  tons 

27  tons   17  cwt 

New. 

43  tons  12  inches 

27  tons 

21  tons     . 

New. 

26  tons  10.2  inches      .   .              

14  tons  

11  tons,  10  cwt  

New. 

18  tons  9  2  inches 

12^  tons 

10  tons  5  cwt 

New. 

11J  tons  8  inches 

10i  tons  

8  tons  

New. 

60  cwt    6  inches 

3  tons  12|  cwt 

38  cwt    50-pounder 

2^  tons 

1  ton   18icwt  

22  cwt    4-po  under        ...          .            . 

1£  ton  

1  ton,  2J  cwt  

The  forging  for  the  100-ton  gun  cited  above  is  that  which  was  sup- 
plied for  the  Armstrong  gun  furnished  the  Italian  Government,  the  tube 
for  which  was  made  in  two  parts.  That  for  the  110-ton  gun  now  to  be 
made  for  the  English  Government  will  be  in  one  forging. 

If  the  cost  per  ton  be  fixed  for  the  smaller  guns,  and  an  increasing 
ratio  be  established  per  ton  as  the  caliber  increases,  the  approximate 
cost  of  the  forgings  for  guns  of  like  pattern  can  be  determined. 

From  an  inspection  of  the  table  given  above  it  will  be  seen  that  it  is 
within  the  resources  of  many  of  our  own  steel  works  to  supply  castings 
for  a  large  number  of  the  different  calibers.  These  works,  however, 
are  deficient  in  forging  apparatus. 

In  the  above  estimates  the  cost  of  a  steam  hamine.r  is  not  given,  as  the 
Board  unanimously  approves  the  adoption  of  the  press ;  but  it  will  be 
pertinent  to  add  that,  in  order  to  produce  a  given  amount  of  work,  the 
hammer  is  the  more  expensive  tool. 

MACHINES  AND  TOOLS  FOR  GUN  FACTORY. 

On  the  matter  of  plant  for  gun  factory  the  Board  obtained  informa- 
tion from  the  principal  gun  facories  of  England,  France  and  Russia, 
where  machines  and  tools  are  in  operation,  and  from  the  largest  estab- 
lishments where  such  tools  are  made,  but  chiefly  from  Messrs.  Green- 
wood &Batley,  of  Leeds,  Mr.  Hulze&  Co.,  of  Manchester,  and  Messrs. 
Yarrell,  Elwell  &  Middleton,  of  Paris. 

In  considering  this  part  of  the  subject  it  was  decided  that  there  were 
three  classes  into  which  guns  could  be  advantageously  divided  in  ref- 
erence to  tools  suitable  for  their  fabrication,  viz : 

(I.)  Guns  of  6-iuch  and  all  below  that  caliber. 

(II.)  Guns  from  6-inch  to  12 -inch  caliber. 

(III.)  Guns  of  caliber  greater  than  12  inches. 


MACHINES    AND    TOOLS.  43 

It  was  necessary  to  adopt  a  tool  as  a  unit  on  which  to  base  the  calcu- 
lation that  should  determine  the  number  of  tools  required  under  the 
above  classes.  The  rifling  machine  was  the  unit  adopted.  The  object 
was  to  so  proportion  the  numbers  of  each  tool  as  to  keep  the  rifling  ma- 
chine constantly  employed. 

In  the  solution  of  this  problem  the  Board  has  had  the  advantage  of 
the  able  assistance  of  the  firm  of  Greenwood  &  Batley,  of  Leeds,  Eng- 
land, whose  tools  were  seen  in  all  the  large  gun  factories  visited,  in 
Europe.  They  have  speut  much  time  and  incurred  much  expense  in  pro- 
viding plans  and  estimates  and  have  communicated  most  valuable  con- 
fidential information.  The  following  estimates,  stated  in  a  general  way, 
are  the  results,  and  the  Board  is  confident  of  the  essential  accuracy. 

(I.)  COST  OF  GUN  FACTORY  PLANT  UP  TO  G-INCH  CALIBER. 

This  plant  does  not  include  rough  boring  and  turning  lathes  for  tabes, 
jackets,  and  hoops ;  these  parts  are  supposed  to  be  supplied  ready  for 
finishing.  It  includes : 

Two  finish  turning  lathes. 

Three  finish  boring  lathes. 

One  lathe  to  chamber,  cut  breech-screws,  &c. 

One  rifling  machine. 

One  milling  and  drilling  machine. 

One  10-ton  power  traveling  crane. 

Tools  for  above,  including — 

A  set  of  turning  tools  for  each  finish  turning  lathe. 

One  boring  bar  with  head  and  cast-steel  tools  for  boring  lathes. 

OUQ  chambering  bar  with  cutting  tools. 

One  steel  bar  and  cutting  tools  for  screw-nutting  and  shaping  out  spaces. 

One  hollow  rifling  bar  with  cutter,  adjustment,  and  catting  tools. 

Milling  cutters  and  mortice  drills  for  milling  and  drilling  machines. 

The  total  cost  will  be  about  $50,000. 

This  plant  is  capable  of  producing  one  6-inch  gun  per  week,  or  a  pro- 
portionally larger  number  of  smaller  calibers. 

,,, 

(II.)  COST  OF  GUN  FACTORY  PLANT  UP  TO  12-iNCH  CALIBER. 

This  plant  does  not  include  rough  boring  and  turning;  the  parts  are 
supposed  to  be  supplied  ready  for  finishing.  It  includes: 

One  finish  turning  lathe. 

Three  finish  boring,  turning,  and  chambering  lathes. 

One  machine  to  cut  breech-screw,  &c. 

One  rifling  machine. 

One  milling  and  drilling  machine. 

Four  combined  boring  and  turning  face  lathes  for  hoops. 

One  combined  boring  and  turning  face  lathe  for  trunnion  hoops. 

One  combined  boring  and  turning  lathe  for  trunnions. 

One  slotting  machine  for  trunnion  hoops. 

One  40-ton  power  traveling  crane. 

Tools  for  the  above,  including — 

Cast-iron  tubes  with  steel  head  and  cutter  for  finish  boring  tubes. 

Cast-iron  tube  with  steel  head  and  cutters  for  finish  boring  jackets. 

One  chambering  bar. 

Fifty  assorted  turning  tools  for  finisli  turning  lathes  and  machine  for  cutting  breech 
screw  and  spaces. 

Cast-iron  hollow  rifling  bar  with  cutter  head,  adjustments,  steel  tube  for  actuating 
tool,  and  cutting  tools. 

Four  milling  cutters  and  mortise  drills  for  milling  and  drilling  machine. 

The  total  cost  will  be  about  f  150,000. 

This  plant  is  capable  of  producing  one  12-inch  gun  every  three  weeks, 
or  a  proportionally  larger  number  of  smaller  calibers. 


44  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

(III.) — COST  OF  GUN  FACTORY  PLANT  UP  TO  16 -INCH  CALIBER. 

This  plant  does  not  include  rough-boring  and  turning;  the  parts  are 
supposed  to  be  supplied  ready  for  finishing.  It  includes  : 

Two  finish  turning  lathes. 

Three  finish  boring,  turning,  and  chambering  lathes. 

One  machine  to  cut  breech- screw,  &c. 

One  rifling  machine. 

One  milling  and  drilling  machine. 

Four  combined  boring  and  turning  face  lathes  for  hoops. 

Four  combined  boring  and  turning  face  lathes  for  trunnion  hoops. 

One  combined  boring  and  turning  lathe  for  trunnions. 

One  slotting  machine  for  trunnion  hoops. 

One  100-ton  power  traveling  crane. 

Tools  for  the  above,  including — 

Two  cast-iron  tubes  with  steel  boring  head  and  cutters  for  finish  boring  tubes. 

One  cast-iron  tube  with  steel  boring  head  and  cutters  for  finish  boring  jackets. 

One  steel  chambering  bar. 

Fifty  assorted  turning  tools  for  finish  turning  lathes  and  machine  for  cutting  breech- 
screw  and  spaces. 

One  cast-iron  hollow  rifling  bar  with  cutter  head,  adjustments,  steel  tube  for  actu- 
ating tool,  and  cutting  tools. 

Four  milling  cutters  and  mortise  drills  for  the  milling  and  drilling  machines. 

The  total  cost  will  be  about  $350,000. 

This  plant  will  produce  one  16-inch  gun  per 'month,  or  a  proportion- 
ally larger  number  of  smaller  calibers.  In  the  room  allotted  to  shrink- 
ing on  the  jackets  and  hoops,  there  will  be  required  an  additional  travel- 
ing crane  capable  of  handling  guns  of  the  heaviest  weight,  which  will 
cost  about  $17,500. 

From  these  estimates,  the  cost  of  equipping  a  gun  factory  capable  of 
producing  guns  from  the  lowest  caliber  up  to  16  inches,  will  be  about 
$570,000. 

If  the  tools  mentioned  above  are  to  be  made  in  the  United  States, 
these  estimates  would  have  to  be  largely  increased,  because  there  has 
been  tio  demand  to  especially  direct  the  attention  of  our  manufacturers 
to  them;  from  this  want  of  experience  great  delay  and  expense  would 
result  in  the  preparation  of  plans,  specifications  and  patterns. 

A  wise  policy  would  seem  to  demand  that  the  tools  required  in  this 
first  plant  should  be  purchased  from  those  parties  abroad  who  have  had 
the  most  valuable  experience  in  their  manufacture. 

Building's. — At  most  of  the  establishments  visited  by  the  Board, 
the  buildings  have  been  constructed  successively  to  meet  increasing  de- 
mands for  space;  and  they  therefore  do  not  exhibit  that  systematic  study 
which  naturally  would  be  demanded  in  planning  a  new  gun  factory. 
In  such  a  problem  the  first  step  would  be  to  decide  upon  the  tools  to  be 
ordered,  and  their  most  convenient  arrangement,  and  then  the  architect 
would  be  able  to  design  the  most  suitable  buildings. 

As  the  Board  will  recommend  that  the  manufacture  of  the  metal  and 
the  fabrication  of  the  guns  shall  be  separately  considered,  and  that  the 
work  shall  be  done  at  different  localities,  it  has  regarded  the  proposi- 
tion of  detailed  plans  for  the  buildings  as  inexpedient,  not  only  because 
there  would  be  little  probability  of  their  final  adoption,  but  also  because 
the  time  required  for  the  estimates  would  materially  delay  the  comple- 
tion of  the  report.  The  subject,  therefore,  will  be  treated  in  a  general 
manner.  The  following  are  the  most  important  points  developed  by  ex- 
perience in  Europe : 

1st.  Substantial  foundations. 

2d.  Strong,  but  economical,  superstructures  secure  against  destruc- 
tion by  fire. 


BUILDINGS.  45 

3d.  Carefully  considered  lighting  arrangements. 

4th.  Dimensions  suited  to  the  most  convenient  use  of  the  tools,  but 
which  avoid  waste  space  under  cover. 

Two  distiuctarrangements  are  in  use  abroad.  In  one,  best  illustrated 
by  the  new  shops  of  Sir  Joseph  Whitworth,  at  Manchester  (intended  for 
general  work),  all  the  operations  are  performed  under  a  single  roof,  a 
plan  which  has  the  merit  of  bringing  all  the  workmen  under  the  eye  of 
the  superintendent.  The  building  has  ten  bays,  each  50  feet  wide,  and 
at  present  575  feet  loug,  but  it  is  proposed  to  extend  this  length  200  feet. 
Six  bays  are  devoted  to  the  foundry  proper  where  the  steel  is  manufact- 
ured and  forged,  and  the  remaining  four  to  the  tools  used  in  fabricating 
the  finished  products.  A  gallery  25  feet  wide  extends  along  one  side 
of  the  building  forming  a  second  story  where  small  tools  are  made. 
Overhead  cranes  are  provided,  where  necessary,  to  run  the  whole  length 
of  a  bay,  and  the  larger  machines  are  disposed  longitudinally  under 
them.  The  height  of  the  run-ways  of  these  cranes  is  22J  feet  above  the 
floor.  Each  bay  is  covered  by  a  roof  of  50  feet  span  and  18  feet  rise. 
These  roofs  unite  in  valleys  8£  feet  above  the  run-ways,  to  afford  room 
for  the  cranes;  and  light  is  supplied  by  continuous  windows,  which, on 
the  south  side  form  the  middle  third,  and  on  the  north  side  the 
two-thirds  of  the  roofs.  The  outer  walls  are  brick.  The  bays  are  sepa- 
rated by  rows  of  cast-iron  columns  capped  with  wrought  iron  trusses,  on 
which  rest  the  iron  roofs. 

These  magnificent  shops,  constructed  very  recently,  after  Sir  Joseph's 
long  experience  in  such  work,  cost  per  running  50  feet  of  each  bay : 

Irou  work  of  supports $>!, 250 

Roof  plating,  glazing,  glass,  lead,  &c 2, 000 

Floors,  plates,  &c 1, 190 

Contingencies 560 


Total  per  square  50  feet,  about 5, 000 

Estimated  upon  this  basis,  given  by  one  of  the  engineers,  the  total 
cost  must  have  been  at  least  $600,000. 

In  the  other  general  arrangement  of  shops  which  prevailed  at  most 
of  the  establishments  visited,  different  buildings  are  provided  for  differ- 
ent classes  of  work,  with  ample  space  between  them  for  railway  tracks, 
storage  of  metal,  &c.  Experience  seems  to  have  suggested  the  impor- 
tance of  the  following  points : 

The  run-ways  of  the  large  cranes  should  be  supported  quijte  inde- 
pendently of  the  buildings.  As  their  spans  vary  from  40  to  64  feet, 
generally  about  50  feet,  this  is  an  important  matter.  There  is  no  econ- 
omy in  constructing  the  walls  to  bear  strains  thrown  upon  them  by 
powerful  machinery.  The  true  function  of  the  building  is  simply  to 
cover  the  tools  against  the  weather. 

The  problem  of  reducing  the  cost  of  roof  trusses  is  an  important  one. 
For  smaller  machines,  an  economical  and  convenient  arrangement  was 
noted  at  the  army  establishment  at  Bourges.  The  building  was  about 
260  feet  long  and  150  feet  wide.  Advantage  was  taken  of  the  lesser 
height  required  for  this  class  of  work  to  dispense  with  roof  trusses  en- 
tirely. Cast-iron  columns,  about  17  or  18  feet  apart,  divided  the  whole 
interior  into  squares  and  furnished  supports  for  the  roof  at  so  many 
points  as  to  effect  this  object.  The  tools  were  disposed  across  the  shop, 
and  hand  cranes  overhead  and  medial  railway  tracks  for  cars  sup- 
plied every  facility  for  convenient  handling.  For  the  larger  tools,  how- 
ever, the  spans  are  necessarily  so  great  that  it  seems  expedient  to  in- 
crease their  width  so  as  to  dispose  the  machines  across  the  bays.  This 


46  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

enables  the  arrangements  to  be  very  compact  and  enough  is  saved  in 
length  of  shop  to  compensate  for  wide  trusses.  Thus,  in  the  two  new 
shops  at  Kuelle,  which  are  good  models,  the  span  of  the  principal  roof 
trusses  are  about  50  feet  and  82  feet  respectively,  the  total  width  of 
the  buildings  being  extended  by  parallel  and  lower  roofs  to  98  feet  and 
130  feet, 

Koof-lighting  of  gun-shops  is  general  throughout  Europe.  Some- 
times, as  in  Sir  Joseph  Whitworth's  establishment,  the  ridge-pole  is 
placed  centrally  between  bearings,  and  one-third  of  the  south  and  two- 
thirds  of  the  north  surface  is  glazed.  At  other  places,  as  at  the  shop 
at  Bourges  just  described,  the  ridge-pole  is  nearer  the  north  side,  and 
the  short  and  steep  side  of  the  roof  only  is  glazed.  Another  plan  is  the 
common  device  of  a  ventilator  cap  over  the  ridge-pole,  with  vertical 
lighting.  As  a  rule  all  available  space  at  the  sides  and  ends  of  the 
buildings  are  given  up  to  windows.  No  gun-shops  of  more  than  one 
story  were  noted. 

The  Board  would  recommend  the  erection  of  fire-proof  structures  of 
a  single  story,  designed  solely  to  cover  and  protect  the  tools.  Their 
style  of  architecture  should  be  neat,  but  not  extravagant  ;  convenience 
of  arrangements  and  facilities  for  lighting  should  receive  careful  study. 
It  is  believed  that  the  cost  of  such  buildings  as  are  required  can  be 
safely  estimated  at  $5,000  per  square  of  50  feet. 


GENERAL    SUMMARY. 

The  foregoing  presents  the  chief  points  of  information  that  have  been 
gained  by  the  investigations  of  the  Board. 

As  examples  of  a  practical  partnership  between  a  Government  and  a 
private  company  in  working  towards  anational  object  the  experiences 
in  England  and  in  Kussia  are  very  instructive,  and  warn  against  the 
adoption  of  such  a  system.  In  England,  the  Government,  in  addition 
to  paying,  during  several  years,  very  high  prices  for  articles  delivered, 
was  forced  to  pay  £65,000  to  close  an  agreement ;  while  the  company, 
besides  the  profits  on  manufacture,  came  into  possession  of  a  complete 
working  plant  at  a  mere  nominal  valuation. 

In  Bussia  the  Government  finds  itself  involved  with  a  stock  com- 
pany, paying  excessive  prices  for  what  it  receives,  and  discovers  no  way 
of  relief,  except  by  buying  up  shares  and  operating  the  establishment 
as  a  Government  foundry. 

As  an  example  of  depending  almost  entirely  on  private  works  Ger- 
many is  a  perfect  instance.  The  works  of  Mr.  Krupp  are  practically 
the  sole  source  of  supply  of  the  German  artillery.  In  such  a  case  the 
Government  must  be  the  slave  of  the  corporation,  and  subject  to  its 
whims,  caprices,  and  conveniences.  It  needs  no  argument  to  show  the 
dependent  condition  of  the  Government  under  such  a  rule ;  it  might 
prove  a  source  of  the  greatest  embarrassment.  The  Board  is  well  in- 
formed that  some  ten  or  eleven  years  ago  the  artillery  officers  were  very 
restive  under  this  load  and  were  making  strenuous  efforts  to  be  relieved 
from  it,  but  without  success.  It  is  hardly  to  be  supposed  that  time  has 
quieted  the  feeling  of  dissatisfaction. 

As  an  example  of  depending  alone  on  Government  works  France  was 
a  perfect  instance  before  the  Franco-German  war.  During  the  period  re- 
ferred to  the  Government  foundries  were  the  sole  source  of  supply  of  the 
armament  of  the  country  j  the  officers  charged  with  the  work  formed  a  close 
corporation ;  their  action  was  never  exposed  to  the  public ;  their  ideas  were 


GENERAL    SUMMARY.  47 

never  subjected  to  criticism ;  the  in  genuity  and  inventive  talent  of  thecouu- 
try  were  ignored  and  resisted,  and  no  precaution  was  thought  necessary 
to  provide  a  supply  in  case  of  need  of  re-armament.  The  result  is  well 
known;  a  great  crisis  came;  the  Government  works  were  inadequate  to 
meet  the  additional  demands  made  upon  them,  and  the  patriotic  efforts  of 
private  establishments  were  inadequate  to  produce  all  the  material  that 
was  needed.  How  entirely  France  has  now  altered  her  system  is  shown 
in  a  previous  part  of  this  report ;  her  present  practice  is  theoretically  per- 
fect, and  it  has  proved  to  be  practically  efficient.  Her  Government  estab- 
lishments are  still  retained,  but  as  gun  factories  simply,  in  which  the 
parts  are  machined  and  assembled,  but  for  foundry  work  she  depends 
upon  the  private  industries  of  the  country,  and  many  of  these  works- 
have  found  it  to  their  profit  to  establish  gun  factories  which  supplement 
the  Government  factories  to  a  great  extent. 

The  conclusions  of  the  Board  on  this  subject  accord  with  the  plain 
teachings  of  these  historical  instances.  It  accepts  the  system  now  pur- 
sued in  France  as  the  proper  standard  for  imitation,  and  recommends 
that  in  inaugurating  the  manufacture  of  war  material  in  our  own  country 
a  conformity  as  close  as  circumstances  will  admit  to  the  plans  which 
have  proved  so  successful  in  France  should  be  observed. 

Having  reached  this  conclusion,  the  Board  is  now  prepared  to  dis- 
pose of  the  propositions  into  which,  as  stated  on  the  seventh  page  of  this 
report,  the  second  interrogatory  in  the  act  of  Congress  was  divided. 
The  first  proposition  was  thus  presented,  viz: 

That  the  Government  should  supplement  the  plants  of  some  of  the  steel  workers  of 
the  country  with  such  additional  tools  and  implements  as  would  enable  them  to  turn 
out  finished  steel  cannon. 

The  adoption  of  this  proposition  would  involve  the  Government  in 
the  embarrassments  which  now  exist  in  Russia,  and  which  we  have  seen 
were  so  costly  to  the  English  Government  in  its  partnership  with  the 
Elswick  Ordnance  Company. 

The  Board  does  not  approve  of  such  joint  action. 

The  second  proposition  was  thus  presented,  viz : 

That  the  Government  should  give  contracts  of  sufficient  magnitude  to  enable  the 
steel  workers  of  the  country  to  supply  the  finished  guns  without  its  direct  aid. 

This  proposition,  if  adopted  without  any  qualification,  would  make 
the  Government  dependent  entirely  upon  the  private  industries  of  the 
country,  which  might  combine  to  the  detriment  of  the  public  service. 
The  Government  would  have  no  guard  against  extortion  and  would  be 
powerless  against  a  combination.  An  actual  instance  of  such  a  combi- 
nation is  cited  in  a  previous  portion  of  this  report  as  having  taken  place 
in  France,  but  the  independent  position  of  the  Government  made  the 
effort  futile. 

The  Board  does  not  approve  of  this  proposition  taken  by  itself. 

The  third  proposition  was  thus  presented,  viz : 

That  the  Government  should  establish  on  its  own  territory  a  plant  for  the  fabrica- 
tion of  cannon,  and  should  contract  with  private  parties  to  such  amounts  as  would 
enable  them  to  supply  from  the  private  industries  of  the  country  the  forged  and  tem- 
pered material. 

This  proposition  is  approved  by  the  Board  and  is  regarded  as  the  foun- 
dation upon  which  our  system  of  manufacture  should  be  built  up.  If 
this  be  done,  and  the  Government  made  secure  by  the  possession  of 
works  of  its  own,  there  is  every  reason  to  adopt  in  addition  the  idea  em- 
bodied in  the  second  proposition  in  order  to  supplement  the  Government 
establishments. 


48  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

A  state,  with  any  pretensions  to  military  power,  should  provide  itself 
with  factory  facilities  on  a  sufficient  scale  to  perform  the  work  of  estab- 
lishing standards,  making  experimental  guns  and  fabricating  cannon 
on  a  moderate  scale;  but  it  is  not  considered  judicious  to  concentrate 
in  the  Government  establishments  all  the  work  of  fabrication  or  to  in- 
clude within  their  operations  the  preparation  of  such  material  as  can  be 
provided  by  the  private  industries  of  the  country.  In  the  case  under 
•consideration  the  purchase  of  the  steel  required  for  cannon  will  stimu- 
late our  own  manufacturers  and  interest  them  in  the  operations  of  the 
Oovernment. 

The  Board  is  thus  led  to  the  conclusion  that  it  is  not  advisable  to 
embark  in  the  establishment  of  a  gun  foundry,  properly  so  called,  but 
that  it  is  more  judicious  to  establish  gun  factories,  and  to  purchase  the 
material  from  our  manufacturers. 

At  present  the  steel  manufacturers  of  our  country  are  not  prepared 
to  produce  the  material  required  for  the  larger  calibers,  and  the  im- 
portant question  arises,  what  means  shall  be  adopted  to  induce  them 
to  study  the  subject  and  embark  in  the  manufacture  on  a  large  scale. 
They  cannot  be  expected  to  do  this  at  a  sacrifice  of  their  own  interests. 
This  object  can  only  be  achieved  by  holding  out  a  fair  prospect  of  ulti- 
mate remuneration  for  the  expenditures  necessary  to  undertake  the 
work,  and  this  can  only  be  done  by  the  action  of  Congress. 

If,  then,  Congress  shall  conclude  to  arm  the  country  it  will  be  neces- 
sary that  a  sum  of  money  shall  be  fixed  as  a  permanent  yearly  appro- 
priation to  be  expended  for  this  purpose,  the  amount  to  be  assigned 
proportionally  between  the  War  and  Navy  Departments.  With  such 
a  guarantee  against  loss  the  Board  is  satisfied  that  the  required  ma- 
terial for  cannon  will  be  forthcoming  from  our  own  steel  works. 

It  would  not  be  necessary  for  the  Government  to  be  associated  with 
a  large  number  of  firms  for  the  supply  of  its  material,  for  it  is  probable 
that  the  private  establishments  that  would  take  up  the  subject  would 
only  be  those  with  large  available  funds  which  they  would  be  willing 
to  put  into  a  special  plant,  and  for  remuneration  on  which  they  would 
be  willing  to  wait  a  reasonable  time.  The  permanent  appropriation 
would  give  them  surety  of  ultimate  profit,  the  only  condition  being  suc- 
cess in  providing  the  material  that  would  be  indicated  in  their  contracts. 
From  personal  intercourse  with  some  of  the  leading  manufacturers  the 
Board  is  led  to  believe  that  the  plan  will  have  the  effect  of  guiding  the 
private  industries  of  the  country  to  the  aid  of  the  Government  in  de- 
veloping this  work  of  national  importance.  * 

It  may  be  added  that  although  the  manufacture  of  armor  plates  for 
ships  and  fortifications  was  not  referred  to  this  Board  for  investigation, 
the  erection  of  plant  for  providing  modern  cannon  would  go  far  towards 
reducing  the  outlay  requisite  to  enable  our  great  steel  manufacturers  to 
meet  another  pressing  want  of  the  Government. 

The  chief  expense  to  be  considered  by  private  parties  is  that  of  the 
forge,  but  by  the  substitution  of  the  hydraulic  press  for  the  hammer 
economy  will  be  consulted  and  better  results  obtained.  The  Board  is 
unanimous  in  approving  the  use  of  the  press  for  all  forging  purposes; 
and  recommends  it  to  all  who  may  embark  in  the  manufacture  of  gun 
metal  for  the  Government. 

.  *  This  conclusion  is  fully  sustained  by  letters,  Appendices  H,  J,  and  by  a  communi- 
cation received  from  the  Cambria  Iron  Company  on  February  8,  1884,  after  the  com- 
pletion of  this  report.  It  is  marked  Appendix  N. 


GENERAL    SUMMARY.  49 

In  conclusion  the  Board  submits  its  replies  to  the  three  interrogatories 
contained  in  the  act  of  Congress: 

(1.)  Which  of  the  navy-yards  or  arsenals  owned  by  the  Government  has  the  best 
location,  and  is  best  adapted  for  the  establishment  of  a  Government  foundry  ? 

The  Board  does  not  recommend  the  establishment  of  a  Government 
foundry,  properly  so  called,  which  shall  provide  for  the  manufacture  of 
steel  and  the  fabrication  of  cannon.  It  considers  that  every  inducement 
should  be  offered  to  attract  the  private  industries  of  the  country  to  the 
aid  of  the  Government  in  providing  ordnance  for  the  Army  and  Navy, 
and  that  the  steel  manufacturers  should  be  called  upon  to  provide  the 
material. 

The  Board  recommends  the  establishment  of  two  gun  factories  under 
the  control  of  the  Government  and  selects  the — 

Watervliet  Arsenal,  West  Troy,  N.  Y.,  as  the  site  for  the  Army,  and  the 

Washington  navy-yard,  District  of  Columbia,  as  the  site  for  the  Navy. 

The  Board  is  unanimous  in  recommending  that  the  Army  and  the 
Navy  should  be  provided  with  separate  establishments.  This  has  al- 
ways been  the  custom  in  France,  producing  good  results ;  the  reverse 
has  been  the  practice  in  England,  producing  bad  results.  Dissatisfac- 
tion from  this  cause  has  existed  for  many  years  in  the  English  Navy, 
and  the  Admiralty  has  recently  brought  about  a  revolution  in  the  system 
so  far  as  the  supply  of  gun-carriages  is  concerned,  by  obtaining  from 
Parliament  a  separate  and  distinct  appropriation  with  which  it  is  pro- 
viding the  English  Navy  with  the  Yavasseur  gun-carriage  in  opposition 
to  the  will  of  Woolwich. 

In  the  administration  of  the  War  and  Navy  Departments  of  the  United 
States,  each  service  has  charge  and  direction  of  its  own  distinct  system 
of  artillery,  hence  if  but  one  gun  factory  be  provided,  its  control  must 
be  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  mixed  commission.  This  must  lead  to  con- 
flict of  authority  and  to  embarrassments  of  all  kinds,  in  which  the  heads 
of  Departments  must  necessarily  become  involved.  A  close  scrutiny  of 
the  practical  difficulties  that  would  arise  in  conducting  the  affairs  of  a 
gun  factory  in  such  mixed  interests  develops  obstacles  that  would  be 
insuperable  even  with  the  most  harmonious  intent. 

In  the  selection  of  the  sites  mentioned,  it  is  not  intended  to  convey 
the  idea  that  they  are  regarded  as  in  every  way  adapted  for  the  pur- 
pose, but,  as  the  scope  for  choice  is  limited,  they  are  considered  the  most 
advantageous.  The  Board  does  not  recommend  the  purchase  of  new 
sites,  as  this  would  open  so  wide  a  field  for  selection  as  to  embarrass  the 
question  by  arousing  local  interests  throughout  the  country. 

(2.)  What  other  method  if  any  (apart  from  the  establishment  of  a  Government 
foundry),  should  be  adopted  for  the  manufacture  of  heavy  ordnance  adapted  to  modern 
warfare,  for  the  use  of  the  Army  and  Navy  of  the  United  States. 

With  Government  gmi  factories  established  for  both  the  Army  and  the 
Navy,  there  will  be  still  needed  the  hearty  co-operation  of  the  private 
industries  of  the  country.  This  cannot  be  aroused  unless  there  is  held 
out  to  them  a  fair  prospect  of  remuneration.  The  Board  does  not  ap- 
prove of  a  partnership  in  business  between  the  Government  and  private 
firms.  All  history  warns  against  such  a  course.  But  it  does  believe  that 
joint,  and  at  the  same  time  independent,  action  between  them  can  be 
made  to  work  harmoniously  towards  the  common  national  purpose.  This 
can  only  be  done  by  a  permanent  and  liberal  appropriation  by  Congress 
for  the  specific  purpose  of  providing  the  country  with  modern  artillery; 

H.  Ex,  97 4 


50  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

which  appropriation  shall  be  a  guarantee  against  loss  to  the  companies 
who  elect  to  undertake  the  work. 

This  is  entirely  consistent  with  the  action  of  Congress  in  providing 
for  the  supply  of  arms  to  the  militia.  The  act  authorizing  this  practice 
was  passed  in  1808  and  since  that  time  the  yearly  disbursement  has 
been  made  from  the  Treasury  without  interruption.  A  similar  act  pro- 
viding for  the  supply  of  heavy  ordnance  for  the  regular  services  will  be 
but  a  farther  development  of  the  same  idea. 

(3.)  The  cost  of  all  buildings,  tools  and  implements,  necessary  to  be  used  in  the 
manufacture  thereof,  including  the  cost  of  a  steam  hammer  or  apparatus  of  sufficient 
size  for  the  manufacture  of  the  heaviest  guns  ? 

In  reply  to  this  question  the  Board  presents  an  abstract  of  the  informa- 
tion already  given,  arranged  in  a  convenient  form  for  reference. 

Approximate  cost  of  plant  for  producing  the  tempered  parts  of  guns 
up  to  100  tons,  ready  for  delivery  at  gun  factory : 

Casting ? $250,000 

Forging  (hydraulic  press) 150,000 

Rough  boring  and  turning 210,000 

Tempering , 50,000 

Total 660,000 

Additional  cost  if  liquid  compression  be  adopted 175, 000 


Approximate  cost  of  plant  for  gun  factories: 

Guns  up  to  6-inch  caliber „  _  „ 50,  000 

Guns  from  6-inch  to  12-inch  caliber 150, 000 

Guns  from  12-inch  to  16-inch  caliber 350,  000 

Buildings  and  shrinking  pit 350,  000 

Total 900,000 

Three  years  will  be  required  to  complete  the  tools,  construct  the  shops 
and  establish  the  plant.  Such  a  factory  will  be  able  to  turn  out  per  year 
fifty  6-iuch,  seventeen  12-inch  and  twelve  16-inch  guns,  or  a  propor- 
tionally larger  number  of  smaller  calibers,  at  a  yearly  expense  of  about 
$2,000,000.  The  figures  cannot  be  pronounced  exact,  but  the  Board  is 
confident  that  they  closely  approximate  accuracy.  The  calculations 
are  based  upon  estimates  obtained  abroad,  and  do  not  include  ocean 
freight  and  customs  dues. 

Though  the  act  of  Congress  replied  to  in  the  above  report  is  one  of 
inquiry,  the  Board  desires  to  emphasize  the  necessity  of  a  proper  en- 
couragement to  the  private  steel  manufacturers,  which  shall  insure  the 
supply  of  gun  material  without  loss  to  the  Government  or  private  com- 
panies; and  is  of  opinion  if  Congress  shall  be  pleased  to  appropriate  an 
adequate  sum  for  providing  modern  artillery  for  the  Army  and  Navy, 
to  be  held  in  the  Treasury  to  be  expended  under  the  authority  of  the 
President,  that  (with  such  a  prospect  of  remuneration)  there  are  steel 
manufacturers  in  the  United  States  who  will  undertake  the  production 
of  gun-metal  on  a  large  scale,  on  the  sole  condition  that  their  steel  shall 
meet  the  required  tests.  Unless  such  action  be  taken,  the  Government 
will  be  compelled  to  purchase  its  gun-metal  abroad,  for  it  will  be  un- 
reasonable to  expect  private  parties  to  invest  over  half  a  million  dollars 
in  plant  without  a  definite  prospect  for  its  employment. 

The  facts  that  the  United  States  is  destitute  of  the  means  of  fabri- 
cating the  modern  guns  so  urgently  needed  for  national  defense,  and 
that  at  least  three  years  will  be  required  to  complete  the  tools,  construct 


GENERAL    SUMMARY.  51 

the  shops  and  establish  the  plant,  would  seem  to  demand  an  immedi- 
ate appropriation  of  the  amount  ($1,800,000)  estimated  for  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  proposed  gun  factories. 

E.  SIMPSON, 

Rear-Admiral,  United  States  Navy,  President  of  the  Board. 

E.  O.  MATTHEWS, 

Captain,  United  States  Navy. 
T.  G.  BAYLOR, 
Colonel  of  Ordnance,  United  States  Army. 

HENRY  L.  ABBOT, 
Lieutenant- Colonel  of  Engineers, 
Brevet  Brigadier- General,  United  States  Army. 

SAM'L  S.  ELDER, 
Major.  Second  Artillery,  United  States  Army. 

W.  H.  JAQUES, 
Lieutenant,  United  States^Navy, 
Member  and  Secretary  of  the  Board. 


APPENDICES. 


53 


APPENDICES. 


APPENDIX     A. 

[Copjr  of  circular  letter  to  steel  manufacturers.] 

COMMANDANT'S  OFFICE,  NAVY-YARD,  LEAGUE  ISLAND, 

Philadelphia,  May  1,  1883. 

GENTLEMEN  :  I  forward  herewith  a  copy  of  a  precept  issued  by  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  under  the  provisions  of  an  act  of  Congress,  appointing  a  Board  charged 
with  the  duties  mentioned  in  the  order.  Besides  the  consideration  of  the  establish- 
ment of  a  Government  foundry  pure  and  simple,  and  the  determination  of  the  suit- 
ability for  this  purpose  of  any  site  now  the  property  of  the  Government,  the  Board 
desires  to  be  informed  as  to  the  disposition  of  the  steel  manufacturers  in  the  country 
to  assist  the  object  to  be  attained,  namely,  to  enable  the  Government  to  produce  at 
home  from  its  own  material  and  manufacture  the  heaviest  ordnance  required  for  mod- 
ern warfare. 

The  Board  is  informed  of  the  propositions  made  to  the  steel  manufacturers  by  the 
Chiefs  of  Ordnance  under  dates  of  February  and  April,  1883,  in  which  certain  require- 
ments are  presented,  but  in  the  calls  thus  made  the  size  of  the  castings  does  not  ex- 
ceed what  would  be  suitable  for  the  tubes  of  8-inch  guns. 

In  considering  the  subject  as  now  presented  by  the  Board  your  attention  is  asked  to 
the  fact  that  its  interrogatories  are  intended  to  include  the  manufacture  of  steel  guns 
up  to  100  tons  weight.  It  is  further  desired  that  you  will  carefully  consider  the  methods 
of  manufacturing  gun  steel  now  employed  in  England,  France,  Germany  and  Rus- 
sia, with  a  view  to  the  selection  of  any  of  the  methods  for  its  manufacture. 

The  Board  requests  that  you  will  consider  the  following  problem,  namely  :  Given 
your  present  plant,  what  aid  would  you  require  from  the  Government  in  order  so  to 
enlarge  it  as  to  be  able  to  manufacture  the  heaviest  ordnance,  the  work  to  include  the 
entire  process  of  manufacture  from  the  casting  of  the  ingots  to  the  finishing  of  the 
gun.  The  Board  would  require  an  itemized  statement  of  buildings,  tools,  hammers 
or  apparatus,  with  estimates  of  cost. 

Whether  you  conclude  to  consider  this  proposition  or  not,  the  Board  requests  a  reply 
to  its  communication,  and  will  be  glad  to  answer  any  question  you  may  be  pleased  to 
present. 

Respectfully, 

E.  SIMPSON, 
Commodore,  United  States  Navy,  President  of  the  Board. 


APPENDIX    B. 

[Circular  letter  to  South  Boston  Iron  Company  and  to  Paulding,  Kemble  &  Co.] 

COMMANDANT'S  OFFICE,  NAVY- YARD,  LEAGUE  ISLAND, 

Philadelphia,  May  1,  1883. 

GENTLEMEN  :  Referring  to  your  communications  of  December  15,  1882,  and  January, 
1882,  to  the  honorable  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  and  the  Chief  of  Ordnance,  War  De- 
partment, in  relation  to  the  establishment  of  a  plant  capable  of  manufacturing  the 
heaviest  ordnance  required  for  modern  warfare,  the  Board  asks  your  attention  to  the 
inclosed  copy  of  a  precept  issued  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  in  accordance 
with  an  act  of  Congress. 

Your  consideration  is  also  requested  of  the  inclosed  copy  of  a  communication  ad- 
dressed by  the  Board,  constituted  by  the  above-mentioned  act,  tojthe  steel  manufact- 
urers of  the  United  States. 

55 


56  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

The  act  of  Congress  under  which  the  present  Board  is  organized  is  in  the  direction 
pointed  out  by  your  communications  above  referred  to,  and  the  Board  will  be  glad  if 
you  will  revise  your  proposition  and  so  modify  it  as  to  reply  to  the  interrogatory  sub- 
mitted as  a  problem  in  the  inclosed  letter  to  the  steel  manufacturers,  as  follows : 
"  Given  your  present  plant,  what  aid  would  you  require  from  the  Government  in  order 
so  to  enlarge  it  as  to  be  able  to  manufacture  the  heaviest  ordnance,  the  work  to  in- 
clude the  entire  process  of  manufacture  from  the  casting  of  the  ingots  to  the  finishing 
of  the  gun." 

Respectfully, 

E.  SIMPSON, 
Commodore,  United  States  Navy,  President  of  the  Board. 


APPE  N  DIX   C. 

6  OLIVER  STREET, 

Boston,  May  8,  1883. 

SIR:  We  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  circular  letter  dated 
the  1st  instant,  addressed  to  us,  and  also  one  of  similar  tenor  addressed  to  the  Nor- 
way Iron  Works. 

In  reply  to  the  same  we  regret  to  be  obliged  to  say  that,  owing  to  contemplated 
changes  at  our  works,  we  cannot  at  present  hold  out  any  prospect  of  being  able  to 
furnish  the  Government  with  steel  guns  such  as  are  mentioned  in  your  letter.  Should 
we,  at  a  later  date,  be  in  a  position  to  supply  them,  we  shall  then  be  happy  to  take 
up  the  matter  and  furnish  the  board  with  estimates. 
We  are,  sir,  very  respectfully,  yours, 

NAYLOR  &  CO. 

Commodore  E.  SIMPSON,  U.  S.  N., 

President  of  the  Foundry  Board,  Navy- Yard,  League  Island,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


APPENDIX    D. 

WEST  POINT  FOUNDRY, 

Cold  Spring,  May  10,  1883. 

SIR:  We  beg  leave  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communication  of  May  1. 
The  problem  proposed  to  us  is  a  difficult  one,  and  we  would  inquire  how  much  time 
you  can  allow  us  to  look  into  the  matter. 

We  would  also  ask  you  if  you  are  correct  in  assuming  that  guns  will  be  required 
from  6-inch  to  about  16-inch  caliber,  and  if  you  'can  give  some  idea  of  the  number  of 
each  kind  which  such  an  ordnance  establishment  should  produce  in  the  course  of  a 
year  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  Government. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servants, 

PAULDING,  KEMBLE  &  CO. 

Commodore  E.  SIMPSON,  U.  S.  N., 

President  of  Board,  Navy -Yard,  League  Island. 


APPENDIX    E. 

PARK,  BROTHER  &  Co., 

Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  May  10,  1883. 

DEAR  SIR  :  We  are  in  receipt  of  your  esteemed  favor  of  1st  instant,  and  carefully 
note  contents.     We  will  take  the  matter  into  consideration,  and  write  you  further  on 
the  subject  in  a  few  days. 
Yours,  truly, 

PARK,  BROTHER  &  CO. 

E.  SIMPSON,  Esq., 

Commodore,  United  States  Navy,  President  of  Foundry  Board,  Washington,  D.  C. 


APPENDICES.  5T 


APPENDIX    F. 

OFFICE  OF  THE  SOUTH  BOSTON  IRON  WORKS, 

70  Water  Street,  Boston,  May  12,  1883. 

SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  receipt  of  your  communication  of  1st  instant 
with  inclosures  named.  I  have  given  much  consideration  to  the  suhject  concerning 
which  you  make  inquiry,  and  realize  its  great  importance.  I  propose  to  thoroughly 
study  the  question  and  obtain  expert  assistance  in  making  such  investigation,  and  in 
preparing  such  estimates  and  plans  in  detail  as  will  enable  me  to  present  to  your 
Board  the  design  of  a  practicable  plant  for  the  manufacture  of  heavy  ordnance  adapted 
to  modern  warfare,  including  a  steam  hammer  or  apparatus  of  sufficient  size  for  the 
manufacture  of  the  heaviest  guns. 

It  will  be  three  or  four  months  before  I  shall  have  completed  this  work,  as  I  con- 
template a  visit  to  the  important  establishments  in  Europe  for  consultation  and  obser- 
vation. 

Meanwhile,  remain  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

WM.  P.  HUNT, 

President  South  Boston  Iron  Works. 
Commodore  E.  SIMPSON,  U.  S.  N., 

President,  <^c.,  Commanding  League  Island  Navy- Yard,  Philadelphia. 


APPENDIX    G. 

PITTSBURGH,  PA.,  May  22,  1883. 

DEAR  SIR:  Your  favor  under  date  of  May  1  is  at  hand.  Replying  thereto  we  beg 
to  say  that  we  fear  the  expense  of  altering  and  adding  large  additional  machinery  to 
our  present  plant,  which  is  new  and  improved,  would  be  more  than  the  Board  would 
entertain.  Our  location  in  this  market  we  claim  is  as  good,  if  not  better,  than  that 
of  others  for  the  shipping  and  hauling  of  heavy  shapes,  either  by  the  Ohio  River  or  by 
rail,  and  if  the  extra  machinery  was  added  to  our  plant,  the  ordnance  required  could 
be  produced  as  cheaply  and  as  effectively  as  at  any  other  point  in  the  country. 

We  would  not  entertain  a  proposition  that  would  leave  us  high  and  dry  when  the 
present  honorable  commission  retired,  but  must  be  guaranteed  or  subsidized  for  at 
least  ten  or  fifteen  years.  This  would  insure  safety  to  ourselves  for  changing,  or 
allowing  to  be  changed,  our  present  plant,  which  is  already  adapted  to  turning  out 
in  the  neighborhood  of  12,000  tons  of  steel  per  annum,  and  would,  we  feel,  be  more 
satisfactory  to  the  Government. 

If  the  honorable  Board  would  outline  for  us  the  size  of  plant  governed  by  the  num- 
ber of  guns,  tonnage,  &c.,  required,  and  about  the  sum  the  Government  would  limit 
itself  to  invest,  we  could  more  accurately  inform  ourselves  what  would  be  necessary. 
We  are,  sir,  yours  respectfully, 

PITTSBURGH  STEEL  WORKS, 
ANDERSON,  DU  PUY  &  CO. 
Hon.  E.  SIMPSON,  Esq., 

Commodore,  United  States  Navy, 

President  Board  of  Ordnance,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


APPENDIX    H. 

THE  MID  VALE  STEEL  COMPANY, 

Nicetown,  Philadelphia,  May  26,  1883. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Your  circular  letter  of  May  1,  calling  the  attention  of  this  company  to 
the  existence  of  the  Board  of  which  you  are  president,  and  to  the  object  for  which  it 
has  been  created,  came  duly  to  hand  and  would  have  received  a  more  prompt  ac- 
knowledgment had  we  not  been  prevented  from  presenting  the  matter  to  the  atten- 
tion of  our  president,  Mr.  Wm.  Sellers. 

This  company  has  given  the  subject  of  the  manufacture  of  steel  for  ordnance  con- 
siderable attention,  and  has  had  some  suc«ess  in  the  production  of  pieces  of  a  moder- 
ate size — such,  for  instance,  as  are  required  for  6-inch  breech-loading  guns. 


58  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

Our  capacities  are  at  present  very  limited  for  this  sort  of  work,  heavier  than  the 
above  mentioned  ;  but,  from  our  past  experience,  we  feel  confident  that  in  case  we 
could  be  insured  a  sufficient  amount  of  work  to  make  the  undertaking  remunerative, 
we  could,  with  proper  appliances,  produce  successfully  large  masses  of  steel  for  ord- 
nance purposes. 

In  considering  the  matter  with  a  view  of  answering  the  Board's  inquiry  as  to  what 
additions  would  have  to  be  made  to  our  present  plant  in  order  to  enable  us  to  pro- 
duce the  parts  of  a  100-ton  steel  gun,  we  would  now  ask  the  Board  to  kindly  furnish 
to  us  the  approximate  dimensions  of  the  largest  masses  of  steel  required  in  the  con- 
struction of  a  gun  of  this  weight.  We  could  then  consider,  more  intelligently,  the 
problem  in  question. 

Awaiting  the  Board's  reply,  we  remain, 
Yours,  respectfully. 

R.  W.  DAVENPORT, 

Superintendent. 
Commodore  E.  SIMPSON,  U.  S.  N., 

President  Foundry  Board,  Navy-Yard,  Philadelphia. 


APPENDIX    I. 

PITTSBURGH,  PA.,  May  24,  1883. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Referring  again  to  your  esteemed  favor  of  1st  instant,  would  say  our 
Mr.  William  G.  Park  will  probably  be  in  Philadelphia  within  a  week  and  will  then 
see  you  and  discuss  the  subject  thoroughly. 
Yours,  truly, 

PARK,  BROTHER  &  CO. 
E.  SIMPSON,  Esq., 

Commodore,  United  States  Navy, 

President  of  Foundry  Board,  League  Island,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


APPENDIX   J. 

SPRINGFIELD,  ILL,,  June  2,  1883. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Your  letter  of  May  1,  in  regard  to  the  establishment  of  works  for  the 
manufacture  of  heavy  steel  guns  was  duly  received  and  has  been  considered.  In  re- 
ply, I  have  to  say  that  this  company  has  a  plant  consisting  of  three  "Peruot"  open- 
hearth  steel  furnaces,  so  arranged  that  we  can  readily  cast  ingots  weighing  say  40 
gross  tons.  We  could  also  easily  arrange  to  increase  the  weight  to  50  tons,  and  by  the 
addition  of  one  or  two  furnaces  to  75  or  even  as  high  as  90  tons.  I  am  not  very  fa 
miliar  with  the  nature  of  the  tools  and  other  appliances  which  would  be  necessary 
to  finish  the  different  parts  of  the  gun  from  the  ingot ;  but  suppose  we  have  but  lit- 
tle, if  anything,  in  our  plant  that  would  apply.  For  this  same  reason  I  am  not  pre- 
pared to  furnish  an  estimate  of  the  amount  of  aid  which  we  would  require  to  enable 
us  to  prepare  ourselves  for  the  undertaking  which  you  have  in  view.  I  can  say, 
however,  that  we  would  be  glad  to  co-operate  with  the  Government  in  establishing  a 
plant  of  the  kind  wanted,  and  that  we  would  fit  up  our  works  with  everything  nec- 
essary upon  being  satisfied  that  it  would  receive  a  fairly  remunerative  business  by  so 
doing.  Or  we  will,  if  it  is  preferred,  and  time  can  be  given,  procure  estimates  of  the 
cost  of  whatever  may  be  needed,  and  allow  the  Government  to  furnish  the  same  on 
any  fair  understanding  as  to  what  compensation  we  shall  receive  for  the  use  of  what 
we  now  have.  In  this  latter  case,  we  would  request  that  you  furnish  the  specifica- 
tion for  an  outfit  of  such  a  kind  as  you  think  will  be  best  adapted  to  the  purpose  in 
view. 

We  think  that  this  place  affords  some  advantages  for  the  business  in  contemplation. 
It  is  far  enough  inland  to  be  at  all  times  safe  from  interference  from  a  foreign  foe.  Our 
transportation  facilities  are  ample.  We  have  an  abundance  of  exceedingly  cheap 
fuel  and  easy  access  to  the  best  raw  materials  to  be  had  in  Missouri  or  on  Lake  Supe- 
rior. 

This  company  has  been  operating  an  iron-rail  mill  and  bar  mill  very  successfully  for 
about  twelve  years,  and  is  just  completing  a  large  mill  for  rolling  steel  plates  of  any 
thickness,  and  up  to  110  inches  wide.  It  is  expected  that  this  mill  will  be  fully  equal 


APPENDICES.  59 

to  anything  of  the  kind  in  the  country.  It  is  possible  that  it  may  be  to  the  advantage 
of  the  Government  to  take  some  ship  plates  from  this  mill  at  some  future  time  for  use 
at  some  of  the  various  navy-yards  or  on  the  western  interior  waters.  It  is  also  pos- 
sible that  our  bar  mill  may  be  of  use  in  furnishing  some  of  the  lighter  parts  to  be  used 
in  the  manufacture  of  steel  guns  of  moderate  weight. 
Asking  the  favor  of  a  reply,  I  am,  yours,  respectfully, 

C.  RIDGELY, 

President. 

Commodore  E.  SIMPSON,  U.  S.  N., 

President  Foundry  Board,  League  Island,  Philadelphia. 


APPEN  DIX    K. 

SOUTH  BOSTON  IRON  WORKS, 

Boston,  January  16,  1884. 

SIR:  Referring  to  your  communication  of  May  1,  1883,  inviting  me  to  revise  my 
proposition  of  January,  1882,  referred  to,  and  so  modify  it  as  to  state  what  aid  I 
should  require  of  the  Government  to  enable  me  to  so  enlarge  our  present  plant  as  to  be 
suitable  for  the  manufacture  of  the  heaviest  ordnance  required  for  modern  warfare 
from  the  crude  material,  I  now  beg  to  say  I  have  considered  the  problem  carefully, 
and  conclude  that  the  subject  is  so  important  and  comprehensive — so  much  depend- 
ing upon  information  obtainable  only  in  Europe,  and  of  which  I  have  obtained  very 
little,  compared  with  that  in  possession  of  your  Board — I  had  better  confine  my  esti- 
mates in  reply  to  that  portion  of  the  proposed  plant  of  Avhich  I  have  some  practical 
knowledge,  and  so  have  considered  the  cost  of  such  additional  machinery  and  tools  as 
would,  with  our  present  plant,  enable  us  to  machine-finish,  from  the  steel  forgings  or 
compressed  ingots,  modern  steel  guns  at  rates  as  follows  : 

Six  guns  of  16-inch  caliber  per  year. 

Twenty  guns  of  12-inch  caliber  per  year. 

Twenty  guns  of  10-inch  caliber  per  year. 

Thirty  guns  of  8-inch  caliber  per  year. 

Forty  guns  of  6-inch  caliber  per  year. 

I  estimate  the  amount  required  to  bring  our  plant  up  to  this  capacity  would  be 
$800,000,  and  require  two  years;  time. 

We  desire  to  make  this  enlargement  as  soon  as  practicable,  and  ask  the  Government 
to  advance  the  necessary  money,  under  proper  guards  and  restrictions,  to  be  reim- 
bursed to  the  Treasury  when  a  reserve  of  5  per  cent,  of  all  the  income  from  said  ma- 
chinery and  tools  shall  amount  to  a  sum  sufficient.  With  a  reasonable  volume  of  busi- 
ness the  Government  would  be  repaid  in  full  within  ten  years. 

Should  your  Board  recommend  this  method  to  be  adopted  for  the  manufacture  of 
heavy  ordnance,  but  wish  to  provide  for  a  complete  establishment  capable  of  produjc- 
ing  the  steel  from  the  casting  of  the  ingots,  as  well  as  the  machine  finishing  of  guns, 
I  beg  to  refer  you  to  my  letter  of  January,  1882,  referred  to,  and  say  I  am  ready  to  un- 
dertake the  construction  of  the  complete  establishment  upon  the  same  terms  as  pro- 
posed for  the  machine  department.  In  that  event,  I  should  expect  to  unite  our  works 
with  that  of  the  West  Point  Foundry  Association,  and  move  to  such  locality  as  would 
be  approved  by  the  Government  authorities. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servants, 

SOUTH  BOSTON  IRON  WORKS, 
By  WM.  P.  HUNT,  President. 

Commodore  E.  SIMPSON,  U.  S.  N., 

President  Gun  Foundry  Board,  Philadelphia. 


60  EEPOET  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 


APPE  N  DIX  L. 


WEST  POINT  FOUNDRY, 

Cold  Spring,  January  18,  1884, 

SIR  :  Referring  to  your  communications  of  May  1, 1883,  respecting  a  plant  to  manu- 
facture ordnance,  we  beg  leave  to  make  the  following  reply,  which,  in  consequence  of 
the  questions  asked  us  not  being  sufficiently  definite,  is  necessarily  approximate  in 
its  character. 

Our  establishment  in  its  present  state  is  capable  of  finishing  a  limited  number 
of  steel  breech-loading  guns,  but  is  inadequate  to  the  wants  of  the  Government. 
We  would  leave  it  as  it  is,  using  it  to  the  extent  of  its  capacity  for  ordnance,  and 
making  projectiles,  gun  carriages,  &c.  (for  which  it  is  well  adapted),  if  required. 
We  would  then  propose  to  build  an  entirely  new  plant,  independent  of  the  old  one  on 
our  property,  capable  of  turning  out  about  120  guns  per  year,  ranging  from  100  tons 
to  6-inch  caliber  or  less,  the  necessary  steel  forgings  to  be  furnished  to  us.  We  esti- 
mate the  cost  of  such  a  plant,  including  buildings,  engine  and  boilers,  lathes,  cranes, 
and  other  machinery,  about  $800,000. 

As  it  would  be  impossible  for  us  to  procure  the  means  to  put  up  such  a  plant,  the 
only  plan  which  seems  feasible  to  us  is  for  the  Government  to  advance  the  necessary 
amount  under  such  conditions  as  may  be  deemed  proper,  and  with  a  proviso  for  its 
ultimate  repayment  when  5  per  cent,  of  the  amount  of  ordnance  business  done  on 
said  plant  shall  be  equal  to  the  sum  advanced,  the  United  States  to  remain  proprietors 
of  the  plant  until  it  is  paid  for  as  proposed. 

With  regard  to  the  making  of  steel  forgings,  we  understand  that  your  Board  has  ob- 
tained in  Europe  the  necessary  information,  and  have  more  knowledge  of  the  subject 
than  we  have  been  able  to  procure.  We  have,  therefore,  only  to  say  that  we  should 
be  willing  to  get  up  a  plant  on  the  terms  proposed  for  the  construction  plant  should 
it  be  considered  advisable  by  the  United  States  to  locate  it  on  our  property  or  to  com- 
bine it  in  the  same  establishment  as  that  in  which  the  ordnance  is  finished. 

We  estimate  that  it  would  require  about  two  years  to  create  the  construction  plant, 
but  we  are  not  prepared  to  state  how  long  it  would  take  to  put  up  the  plant  for  mak- 
ing the  steel  forgings. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servants, 

WEST  POINT  FOUNDRY  ASSOCIATION, 
G.  PAULDING,  President. 

Commodore  E.  SIMPSON,  U.  S.  N., 

Chairman  of  Gun  Foundry  Board,  Philadelphia. 


APPENDIX    M. 

OFFICE  OF  CAMBRIA  IRON  COMPANY, 

Philadelphia,  January  31,  1884. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Will  you  kindly  advise  us  when  it  would  be  convenient  fora  representa- 
tive of  our  company  to  appear  before  your  Board  in  regard  to  securing  such  informa- 
tion as  you  can  furnish  us  and  making  answer  to  your  circular  letter  of  May  1,  1883. 
Awaiting  your  reply,  we  are  yours,  truly, 

POWELL  STACKHOUSE, 

Vise- President. 

Commodore  EDWARD  SIMPSON, 

President  Foundry  Board,  1727  Pine  street,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


APPENDICES.  61 


APPE  N  DIX    N. 

OFFICE  OF  CAMBRIA  IRON  COMPANY, 

Philadelphia,  February  7,  1884. 

DEAR  SIR  :  Having  received  the  impression  that  the  Gun  Foundry  Board  would, 
after  its  investigations  in  Europe,  be  prepared  to  give  us  some  information  that  would 
assist  in  a  reply  to  its  circular  letter  of  May  1,  1883,  we  have  delayed  submitting 
any  proposition  that  would  indicate  our  "  disposition  to  assist  the  object  to  be 
obtained,"  or  an  estimate  of  the  manner  and  amount  of  "aid"  required  "from  the 
Government." 

We  are  now  informed  by  the  Board  that  such  information  cannot,  without  injustice 
to  other  private  interests,  be  given  before  the  publication  of  its  report.  We,  there- 
fore, have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following,  suggested  by  our  long  and  valuable 
experience  in  the  manufacture  of  steel,  and  our  investigations  upon  the  subject  mat- 
ter of  the  Gun  Foundry  Board's  letter  of  May  1,  1883. 

As  requested  in  that  letter,  we  have  (as  far  as  time  would  permit,  and  as  carefully 
as  possible  without  making  a  special  visit  to  Europe)  considered  "the  methods  of 
manufacturing  gun  steel  now  employed  in  England,  France,  Germany  and  Russia, 
with  a  view  to  the  selection  of  any  of  these  methods  for  its  manufacture."  This 
careful  consideration  indorses  the  statement  we  have  already  made  in  person  to  your 
Board,  that  steel  made  by  the  open-hearth  process  is  the  most  uniform ;  and  that  we 
believe  we  have  the  largest  casting  plant  on  this  system  in  the  United  States,  con- 
ducted by  men  of  great  experience.  We  further  are  of  the  opinion  that  our  casting 
plant  will  meet  the  present  requirements  of  the  Government  for  gun  metal,  and  if  a 
sufficiently  large  contract  or  other  guarantee  against  loss  were  given,  we  could  rap- 
idly develop  it  to  meet  increasing  demands. 

Like  all  other  steel  manufactories  in  the  United  States,  we  have  no  apparatus  capa- 
ble of  forging  the  large  ingots  required  for  modern  guns.  Before  embarking  in  a 
forging  plant  that  must  require  an  expenditure  of  from  a  quarter  to  a  half  million 
of  dollars,  we  would  await  the  opinion  of  the  Board  or  the  action  of  the  Government 
in  regard  to  the  adoption  of  a  hammer  or  a  hydraulic  press.  We  have  been  led  to  this 
conclusion  by  the  great  attention  which  is  now  given  this  question  in  England  and 
the  use  of  a  hydraulic  casting  press  in  Russia ;  also,  by  the  fact  that  a  large  number 
of  shafts  for  English  naval  ships  and  a  large  quantity  of  steel  furnished  the  Royal 
Arsenal  and  the  works  of  Armstrong,  Mitchell  &  Co.,  have  been  manufactured  by 
Sir  Joseph  Whitworth,  who  casts  and  forges  the  steel  for  these  purposes  by  hydraulic 
presses. 

As  the  forging  press  is  said  to  be  cheaper  and  its  effect  equal  to  or  better  than  the 
hammer,  we  would  naturally  adopt  that  method  of  forging,  unless  the  Government 
in  its  contracts  should  require  the  metal  forged  with  the  hammer. 

Our  company  has  received  invitations  from  the  Ordnance  Departments  of  both  Army 
and  Navy  to  furnish  gun  material,  the  castings  for  which  are  well  within  our  capacity 
to  make  ;  but  wanting  a  suitable  apparatus  to  properly  forge  such  castings,  and  in  the 
absence  of  a  sufficiently  large  contract  to  pay  even  the  cost  of  small  apparatus,  and 
the  risks  attendant  upon  the  development  of  a  new  branch  of  our  industry,  we  did 
not  deem  it  wise  to  undertake  a  small  contract. 

In  regard  to  the  problem  you  submitted,  "  Given  your  present  plant,  what  aid  would 
you  require  from  the  Government  in  order  so  to  enlarge  it  as  to  be  able  to  manufacture 
the  heaviest  ordnance,  the  work  to  include  the  entire  process  of  manufacture  from  the 
casting  of  the  ingots  to  the  finishing  of  the  gun,"  we  have  to  state  we  have  learned 
that  England  and  France,  two  of  the  countries  mentioned  in  your  letter,  separate  the 
manufacture  of  the  steel  from  the  construction  of  the  guns.  As  they  have  had  long 
and  valuable  experfence  upon  this  subject  it  would  seem  that  they  have  adopted  this 
plan  because  it  was  the  best. 

In  view  of  this  fact  we  submit  an  approximate  estimate  of  the  amount  to  be  ex- 
pended to  put  our  plant  in  a  condition  to  supply  the  required  steel  for  gun  construc- 
tion. 

For  the  sum  of  $695,000  we  could  add  to  our  present  plant  forging  apparatus,  tools 
to  rough  bore  and  turn,  and  appliances  for  tempering  the  material  of  such  weight  and 
sizes  as  we  suppose  the  Government  will  demand.  Of  the  above-named  sum,  $143,000 
we  estimate  as  duty  at  45  per  cent  ad  valorem  on  tools  it  will  be  necessary  to  import 
from  foreign  makers  experienced  in  their  construction. 

We  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  the  Board  to  the  following  statement  of  business 
facts  and  considerations,  that  it  may  judge  of  the  capacity,  both  financially  and 
technically,  of  the  Cambria  Iron  Company  to  undertake  the  work  required  of  a  national 
foundry. 

The  works  of  the  company  are  located  at  a  sufficient  distance  from  the  seaboard  to 
render  them  absolutely  secure  from  attack  by  a  foreign  enemy,  while  at  the  same 


62  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

time  they  do  not  occupy  an  isolated  position  so  that  communication  between  them 
and  the  exposed  portions  of  the  country  would  be  either  impossible  or  difficult  for  our 
own  people.  The  works  are  situated  directly  on  the  main  line  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad,  which  affords  quick  and  safe  communication  between  the  East  and  the  West, 
and  also  brings  them  within  80  miles  of  steamboat  communication  on  the  Ohio  River 
at  Pittsburgh.  In  addition  to  these  transportation  facilities,  the  works  are  also  in 
direct  rail  communication  with  the  Southern  seaboard  and  the  South  itself  by  way 
of  the  Somerset  and  Johnstown  Railroad,  which  is  a  thoroughly-built  and  well- 
equipped  branch  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  which  has  eastern  termini  at 
Baltimore  and  Washington  and  Southern  connections  at  these  and  other  points;  also 
a  third  trunk  line  between  the  seaboard  and  West,  now  under  construction,  passing  a 
few  miles  south  of  Johnstown,  and  with  which  there  will  be  direct  connection.  It 
may  also  be  added  that  by  way  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  and  its  connections  at 
Harrisburg  with  the  Northern  Central  Railway  the  works  have  an  additional  outlet 
to  Baltimore,  Washington,  and  the  South. 

The  situation  of  the  works  of  the  Cambria  Iron  Company  at  Johnstown  is  one  of 
great  healthfulness,  and  it  is  comparatively  sheltered  from  the  extremes  of  both  heat 
and  cold,  and  is  wholly  free  from  all  malarious  influences,  so  that  workmen  can  prose- 
cute their  various  employments  in  all  seasons  without  danger  of  interruption  from 
intense  heat  or  cold,  or  from  the  prevalence  of  epidemics.  The  healthfulness  of  the 
situation  of  the  wrorks,  the  constant  employment  which  has  been  given  to  its  work- 
men for  twenty-nine  years,  the  cheapness  of  the  necessaries  of  life,  and  the  facilities 
which  have  been  aiforded  by  the  company  for  the  acquisition  of  homes  by  heads  of 
families,  have  greatly  contributed  to  the  building  up  at  Johnstown  and  in  its  imme- 
diate and  dependent  suburbs  of  a  steady,  sober,  intelligent,  and  moral  class  of  skilled 
mechanics — a  fact  upon  which  we  desire  to  place  great  stress,  as  an  industrial  com- 
munity that  is  fixed  and  permanent  and  attached  by  home  ties  and  associations  to  its 
place  of  employment  is  far  less  likely  to  engage  in  contentions  and  strikes  at  critical 
periods  than  one  that  is  composed  of  floating  and  uncertain  elements. 

The  works  have  been  in  existence  and  in  operation  for  more  than  thirty  years,  and 
in  this  time  an  army  of  skilled  workmen  has  been  gathered  together  that  for  effi- 
ciency, fidelity  and  variety  of  scientific  and  mechanical  attainments,  is  believed  to 
be  unsurpassed,  if  equaled,  in  our  whole  country. 

The  works  of  the  Cambria  Iron  Company  are  not  merely  of  a  reproductive  or 
finishing  character,  but  they  embrace  every  branch  of  a  complete  establishment  de- 
voted to  the  manufacture  of  iron  and  steel.  The  company  owns  its  own  coal  mines, 
including  extensive  mines  in  the  Connellsville  coke  region  and  other  mines  adjacent 
to  the  works  at  Johnstown  ;  it  owns  its  own  iron-ore  mines,  some  of  which  are  adja- 
cent to  the  works,  while  others  are  situated  in  the  Lake  Superior  region  and  else- 
where ;  it  produces  its  own  pig-iron  in  furnaces  that  possess  all  the  modern  improve- 
ments ;  it  has  a  large  Bessemer  steel-plant,  a  large  open-hearth  steel  plant,  iron  and 
steel  rail  and  other  rolling-mills,  puddling  and  heating  furnaces,  wire  mills,  and 
facilities  for  the  production  of  miscellaneous  steel  products. 

The  works  have  a  capacity  for  the  production  of  300,000  tons  of  pig-iron  and  over 
200,000  tons  of  steel  per  annum. 

The  company  employs  at  the  present  time  9,000  workmen.  It  has  its  own  mining 
and  mechanical  engineers,  its  own  draughtsmen,  and  its  own  chemists. 

These  details  are  mentioned  to  show  the  varied  experiences  of  the  employe's  and 
officers  of  the  company  ;  its  perfect  control  over  the  raw  materials  it  uses,  and  con- 
sequently over  the  character  of  all  its  products,  and  the  facilities  generally  for  the 
prompt  addition  to  its  works  for  the  contemplated  national  foundry,  and  the  equally 
prompt  and  faithful  execution  of  such  orders  as  would  be  required  of  it. 

It  only  requires  to  be  added  that  the  financial  ability  of  the  Cambria  Iron  Company 
to  comply  with  all  its  engagements  cannot  be  questioned.  *  *  It  owns  abso- 

lutely all  of  its  property,  without  intervening  creditors,  as  it  has  no  bonded  nor  floating 
debt ;  all  its  employe's  are  regularly  paid  every  mouth ;  it  can  always  manufacture 
all  the  articles  it  now  produces  as  cheaply  as  any  of  its  competitors,  and  hence  is  in 
no  danger  of  ever  abandoning  business  as  a  manufacturer  of  iron  and  steel.  If  finan- 
cial ability  to  execute  a  contract  is  desirable,  then  the  Cambria  Iron  Company  may 
truthfully  be  said  to  possess  that  requirement  in  an  eminent  degree;  and  if  a  reputa- 
tion for  energy,  enterprise,  conscientiousness,  and  complete  success  in  the  production 
of  iron  and  steel  of  the  best  qualities  counts  for  anything,  the  Cambria  Iron  Com- 
pany, it  may  also  be  truthfully  said,  possesses  this  reputation  and  has  possessed  it  for 
many  years. 

In  conclusion,  we  desire  to  inform  the  Gun  Foundry  Board  that  the  Cambria  Iron 
Company  may  be  induced  to  undertake  at  once  the  development  of  its  steel  plant  to 
meet  the  requirements  for  gun  material  if  the  United  States  Government  will  make  a 
sufficiently  large  contract  or  give  other  positive  guarantee  which  shall  insure  the 
Cambria  Company  adequate  employment  or  sufficient  profit  to  reimburse  this  large 
expenditure,  the  company  on  its  part  undertaking  to  meet  the  required  tests. 


APPENDICES.  63 


If  the  Government  desires  to  enter  into  any  joint  action  by  furnishing  the  means  for 
the  development  of  a  plant,  with  a  reserve  for  reimbursement,  the  foregoing  state- 
ments indicate  our  ability  to  undertake  such  action  under  the  most  favorable  condi- 
tions for  the  faithful  execution  of  the  work. 
All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

CAMBRIA  IRON  COMPANY, 
By  E.  Y.  TOWNSEND,  President. 
Commodore  E.  SIMPSON,  U.  S.  N., 

President  of  Foundry  Board. 


APPENDIX     O. 

BROWN'S  HOTEL,  DOVER  STREET, 

London,  England,  July  30,  1883. 

SIR  :  I  am  requested  by  the  Board  appointed  by  the  President,  under  a  late  act  of 
the  United  States  Congress,  to  examine  and  to  report  on  matters  relating  to  the  manu- 
facture of  cannon,  to  address  you  on  the  subject  of  a  visit  which  we  desire  to  make  to 
the  works  of  Mr.  Fried.  Krupp,  at  Essen. 

From  our  preliminary  conversation  of  this  morning  I  understand  your  position  to 
be  at  the  outset  as  follows :  That  if  the  examination  of  the  Board  be  confined  to  a 
study  of  the  works  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  information  for  our  Government,  with- 
out holding  out  any  prospect  of  ultimate  advantage  to  the  factory  through  purchase 
of  material,  the  request  for  admission  will  not  be  granted. 

In  reply  to  this  I  desire  to  state  that  though  this  Board  is  not  authorized  in  any 
way  to  commit  the  United  States  Government  to  any  course  of  action,  yet  the  recom- 
mendations that  it  may  make  are  entirely  at  its  own  discretion. 

The  members  of  the  Board  are  well  aware  of  the  great  expense  necessary  before  a" 
gun-foundry  establishment  can  be  brought  to  a  state  of  practical  usefulness ;  they  are 
also  aware  of  the  length  of  time  that  must  elapse  before  a  plant  can  be  established  or 
satisfactory  work  produced,  and  if  it  should  be  concluded  by  the  United  States  Con- 
gress to  supplement  the  present  inquiry  by  directing  that  armaments  shall  be  pro- 
vided at  once,  it  is  very  probable  that  the  recommendations  of  this  Board  would  be  to 
purchase  abroad. 

In  such  a  case,  the  information  that  we  might  gain  by  a  close  examination  of  the 
manufacture  of  steel  and  the  fabrication  of  guns  and  ammunition  at  the  works  of  Mr. 
Krupp  might  greatly  influence  the  direction  of  our  recommendations. 

If  this  view  of  the  case  will  satisfy  the  implied  condition  of  ultimate  profit  to  the 
establishment,  I  will  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  to  that  effect,  and  I  request  that  this 
communication  may  be  received  as  an  official  application  for  permission  to  visit  the 
works. 

Very  respectfully, 

E.  SIMPSON, 
Commodore,  United  States  Navy,  President  of  the  Board. 

(Care  of  B.  F.  Stevens,  United  States  Dispatch  Agent,  4  Trafalgar  Square,  Charing 
Cross,  London.) 

ALFRED  LONGSDON,  Esq. 


APPENDIX   P. 

[Fried.  Krupp's  Cast-Steel  Works,  Essen,  Khenish  Prussia.] 

9  NEW  BROAD  STREET, 

London,  July  31,  1883. 

SIR  :  I  am  duly  in  receipt  of  your  esteemed  favor  of  the  30th  instant,  which  accu- 
rately recapitulates  the  substance  of  our  conversation  yesterday.  I  have  now  fully 
laid  the  matter  before  my  Essen  firm,  and  trust  in  a  few  days  to  write  you  fully  thereon, 
and  trust  that  a  satisfactory  solution  of  the  question  may  be  found ;  and  in  mean  time, 
believe  me,  sir, 

Yours,  faithfullv, 

Pr.  Pro.  FRIED.  KRUPP, 

ALFRED  LONGSDON. 
BROWN'S  HOTEL,  Dover  Street,  W. 
Commodore  E.  SIMPSON,  U.  S.  N., 

President  of  the  Gun  Foundry  Board. 


64  REPORT    OF    GUN    FOUNDRY    BOARD. 

APPENDIX   Q. 

[Fried.  Krupp's  Cast-Steel  Works,  Essen,  Rhenish  Prussia.] 

9  NEW  BROAD  STREET, 

London,  August  13,  1883. 

SIR:  I  am  now  enabled  to  reply  to  your  valued  favor  of  30th  July,  which  has  had  the 
consideration  of  iny  Essen  firm,  and  I  beg  to  submit  to  you  the  following  : 

As  it  is  presumed  that  your  Commission  has  for  its  chief  purpose  the  examination 
of  the  ordnance  question  in  its  characteristic  of  artillery  efficiency,  more  than  as  a 
system  of  manufacture,  which  must  be  secondary,  there  does  not  appear  to  be  so  much 
necessity  to  see  the  works  at  Essen,  where  no  data  could  be  taken  as  to  the  value  of 
the  Krupp  system  as  pieces  of  artillery.  It  would  be  of  much  higher  consequence  to 
you  to  examine  the  question  of  efficiency  by  a  course  of  practice  at  the  artillery  prac- 
tice ground  at  Meppen,  where  guns  of  different  calibers  could  be  fired  for  all  the  es- 
sential ballistic  properties  attaching  to  them. 

It  is  therefore  proposed  to  place  at  your  disposal  the  practice-ground  at  Meppen, 
and  to  fire  there  the  different  guns  on  the  ground  for  range,  accuracy,  and  general 
efficiency,  and  I  shall  be  very  glad  if  this  meets  with  your  acceptance.  It  is,  how- 
ever, of  consequence  that  this  should  be  decided  without  loss  of  time,  because  we  are 
not  allowed  to  fire  after  September  I  till  October  15,  on  account  of  the  harvest  in  the 
neighborhood.  It  will,  therefore,  be  essential  that  the  trials  take  place  this  month, 
and  if  you  will  kindly  give  me  your  decision  a  programme  shall  be  drawn  up  for, 
say,  the  last  days  of  the  month.  You  may  be  sure  that  everything  shall  be  done  at 
Meppen  to  give  you  every  information  upon  the  superiority  of  our  system  of  artillery. 
I  shall  be  glad  to  have  a  telegram  from  you  as  early  as  possible,  stating  your  decision, 
as  I  am  leaving  for  Essen  on  Thursday  morning. 

»    The  works  at  Essen  cannot  be  seen,  as  these  are  closed  to  all  but  those  who  have 
special  business  of  inspection  of  war  material  on  order. 
I  am,  sir,  yours,  obediently, 

Pr.  Pro.  FRIED.  KRUPP, 

ALFRED  LONGSDON. 

Commodore  EDWARD  SIMPSON, 

President  of  the  American  Artillery  Commission. 


APPENDIX    R. 

[Telegram.] 

NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE,  ENGLAND, 

August  14,  1883. 
ALFRED  LONGSDON, 

9  New  Broad  Street,  London,  E.  C.  : 

The  Board  regrets  that  it  will  be  unable  to  accept  the  offer  contained  in  yours  of 
13th  instant.     Letter  by  mail. 

Commodore  E.  SIMPSON, 

County  Hotel,  Newcastle-on-Tyne. 


APPENDIX     S. 

THE  COUNTY  HOTEL, 
Newcastle-on-Tyne,  England,  August  15,  1883. 

SIR  :  On  the  part  of  the  United  States  Gun  Foundry  Board,  I  have  the  honor  to  ac- 
knowledge the  receipt  of  your  favor  of  the  13th  instant,  in  which  I  am  informed  that 
"the  works  at  Essen  cannot  be  seen,  as  these  are  closed  to  all  but  those  who  have 
special  business  of  inspection  of  war  material  on  order." 

As  the  application  of  the  Board  was  for  permission  to  visit  the  works  at  Essen,  your 
reply  is  therefore  a  notification  that  the  request  is  refused. 

The  members  of  the  Board  appreciate  your  courtesy  in  placing  at  their  disposal  the 
practice-ground  at  Meppen,  and  your  offer  to  exhibit  the  firing  of  guns  for  range,  ac- 


APPENDICES.  65 

curacy,  and  general  efficiency ;  but  notwithstanding  the  great  interest  that  would  be 
taken  iu  such  experiments  by  the  members  of  the  Board,  it  is  considered  that  the  ob- 
ject of  their  mission  would  not  be  furthered  thereby.  With  many  thanks,  therefore, 
for  your  considerate  offer  to  view  the  efficiency  of  the  Krupp  manufacture  by  means 
of  a  course  of  practice,  we  regret  our  inability  to  accept  it. 

You  will  allow  me  to  demur  to  your  conclusion  that  "  your  Commission  has  for  its 
chief  purpose  the  examination  of  the  ordnance  question  in  its  characteristics  of  artil- 
lery efficiency."     On  the  contrary,  it  has  for  its  object  more  the  "system  of  manufact- 
ure," and  I  refer  you  to  my  letter  of  July  30,  in  which  this  view  is  presented. 
Very  respectfullv, 

E.  SIMPSON, 

Commodore,  United  States  Navy,  President  of  the  Board. 
FRIED.  KRUPP'S  CAST-STEEL  WORKS,  ESSEN,  RHENISH  PRUSSIA, 

9  New  Broad  Street,  London,  E.  C. 


APPEN  DIX    T. 

[Fried.  Krupp's  Cast-Steel  Works,  Essen,  Rhenish  Prussia.] 

9  NEW  BROAD  STREET, 

London,  August  16,  1883. 

SIR  :  I  beg  to  acknowledge  your  esteemed  favor  of  yesterday,  which  has  been  for- 
warded to  Mr.  Lougsdon,  who  has  gone  to  Essen. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  sir,  your  obedient  servant. 

For  FRIED.  KRUPP, 

WALTER  COWAN. 
Commodore  E.  SIMPSON,  U.  S.  N., 

President  of  the  Gun  Foundry  Board, 

The  County  Hotel,  Newcastle-on-Tyne. 


APPEN  DIX    U. 

ESSEN,  RHENISH  PRUSSIA, 

September  I,  1883. 

SIR  :  Your  favor  of  15th  ultimo  has  been  forwarded  to  me  here,  and  I  very  much 
regret  that  you  have  not  accepted  my  desire  to  be  of  such  service  to  you  as  I  could, 
if  not  in  all  the  objects  of  your  mission  to  Europe,  still  to  make  yourself  acquainted 
by  personal  observation  of  the  efficiency  and  general  characteristics  of  my  artillery, 
for  I  had  conceived  that  at  least  this  would  have  formed  the  first  necessity,  and  that 
the  process  of  the  manufacture  of  a  gun  would  have  been  second  to  the  conviction 
as  to  which  is  really  the  most  efficient  system  of  artillery. 

If  you  recollect  during  our  conversation  iu  London  I  endeavored  to  clearly  point 
out  to  you  that  it  was  hardly  to  be  expected  that  the  process  of  manufacturing  artil- 
lery upon  my  system  could  be  shown  to  you,  a  process  only  arrived  at  by  an  immense 
expenditure  of  time  and  money,  while  on  your  side  no  compensation  would  be  guar- 
anteed, and  that  we  should  thus  be  upon  unequal  terras  ;  and  from  your  favor  of  15th 
ultimo  I  can  now  gather  that  a  simple  walk  through  the  Essen  shops  would  even  not 
be  all  that  you  would  require,  but  that  the  system  of  construction  should  be  made 
clear  to  you — an  amount  of  information  scarcely  to  be  expected. 

I  was  sincerely  desirous  of  giving  you  every  means  of  examining  my  gun  as  a  piece 
of  effective  ordnance,  and  I  inclose  you  a  programme  I  had  proposed  to  myself  should 
be  followed,  and  I  tMnk  you  will  be  assured  that  I  had  every  desire  of  being  thus  far 
of  service  to  you.  The  outlay  for  such  a  programme  would  be  £500  at  least,  so  that 
I  was  fully  prepared  to  sacrifice  this  in  your  interest,  and  if  you  can  visit  the  practice- 
ground  at  Meppen  after  15th  October,  I  will  do  my  utmost  still  to  show  you  all  the 
courtesy  and  attention  lean  in  this  direction. 

Should  you  desire  to  have  a  series  of  reports  of  trials  with  my  guns  of  various  cali- 
bers, showing  their  capabilities,  I  shall  be  happy  to  have  a  collection  of  them  made  for 
your  disposal. 

I  am,  sir,  yours,  very  truly, 

Pr.  Pro.  FRIED  KRUPP, 

ALFRED  LONGSDON. 

Commodore  EDWARD  SIMPSON, 

U.  S.  N.,  President  of  the  Chin  Foundry  Board,  London. 

H.  Ex.  97 5 


66 


REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

Draft  of  programme  for  United  States  Commission. 


Caliber. 

Numbers  and  kind  of  pro- 
jectiles. 

Pauses  for— 

Space  of 
time. 

40-centimetre  gun  

2  common  shells 

Minutes. 

5  armor-piercin"1  shells 

Change  of  position  of  frames.  . 

15 

5  common  shells  

25 

15i-centimetre  gun  

5  common  shells 

Change  of  position  of  frames.  . 

15 

on 

Advance 

15 

15-centimetre  mortar  

5  common  shells 

1*> 

5  shrapnels  

25 

8.7-centiraetre  gun  

5  shells,  5  shrapnels  ....... 

Rest,  including  advance  

120 
40 

Light  7.5-ceutimetre  gun  

5  shells  5  shrapnels 

30 

7.5-centimetre  mountain  gun... 

5  shells,  5  shrapnels  .... 

30 

15.5-centimetre  shield  gun  

10  shells  

20 

15-centimetre  pivot  gun  

5  shells  

20 

~470 

470  minutes=7  hours  50  minutes. 


APPENDIX    V. 


PARIS,  FRANCE,  September  17,  1883. 

SIR  :  On  my  return  from  an  extended  tour  in  France,  I  find  your  favor  of  the  1st 
instant,  which  I  have  laid  before  the  Commission,  and  to  which  I  hasten  to  reply. 

The  "draft  of  a  programme  for  the  United  States  Commission,"  inclosed  in  your 
letter,  is  of  a  most  elaborate  character,  and  very  strongly  confirms  the  statement 
therein  that  you  were  desirous  of  giving  the  Commission  "  every  means  of  examining 
my  [your]  gun  as  a  piece  of  effective  ordnance,"  and  it  is  hardly  necessary  for  me  to 
repeat  that  such  an  exhibition  would  be  of  the  greatest  interest  personally  to  the 
members  of  the  Commission.  The  estimated  outlay  for  such  a  programme  (£500)  im- 
presses us  with  the  extent  of  the  sacrifice  you  were  prepared  to  make  in  this  regard 
in  the  interest  of  the  Commission. 

The  question  of  the  effectiveness  of  the  Krupp  gun  as  a  piece  of  ordnance,  how- 
ever, is  not  one  which  at  this  day  can  be  disputed.  The  battle  fought  at  Meppen  in 
1879,  though  bloodless,  &id  without  an  enemy  in  the  field,  settled  this  question  most 
decidedly,  and  you  cannot  suppose  that  the  members  of  this  Commission  are  ignorant 
of  the  results  that  have  ensued.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  no  representatives  from 
the  United  States  assisted  at  those  experiments ;  but  the  results  are  known  through- 
out the  world.  To  witness  a  partial  repetition  of  them  would  be  excessively  inter- 
esting, but  it  would  impart  no  new  information. 

You  will  thus  see  that  a  "personal  observation  of  the  efficiency  and  general  char- 
acteristics of  my  [your]  artillery"  was  not  necessary  in  order  to  satisfy  us  of  its  power; 
and  as  the  time  at  our  disposal  was  limited  and  our  course  of  investigation  indicated, 
we  were  forced  to  suppress  personal  inclination,  and  to  conclude  that  time  spent  as 
you  proposed  would  not  be  justified  by  the  especial  object  of  our  mission.  The 
courtesy  of  your  proposition  was  thoroughly  recognized,  and  I  trust  that  our  reasons 
for  declining  your  modification  of  our  request  are  accepted  as  a  necessity  arising  out 
of  the  circumstances  in  which  we  are  placed. 

After  being  notified  by  you  that  the  "works  at  Essen  cannot  be  seen,  as  these  are 
closed  to  all  but  those  who  have  special  business  of  inspection  of  war  material  on 
order,"  the  Commission  established  for  itself  a  programmer-including  a  visit  to  the 
Aboukhoff  Works  at  Alexandrovsky,  which  will  prevent  it  from  entertaining  the 
idea  of  visiting  the  practice-ground  at  Meppen  after  the  15th  of  October,  as  suggested 
in  your  favor  of  the  1st  instant,  to  which  this  note  is  a  reply. 

In  conclusion,  I  desire  to  say  that  this  Commission,  though  organized  by  act  of  Con- 
gress, and  with  its  members  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  himself, 
does  not  presume  to  question  the  perfect'right  of  the  authorities  of  any  establishment 
o  exclude  it  from  its  premises.  Such  rights  are  exercised  by  Governments,  and  such 


APPENDICES.  67 

action  is  within  the  rights  of  any  private  corporation,  and  I  deprecate  the  impression 
that  may  be  conveyed  that  the  non-attendance  of  the  Commission  at  Meppen  is  the 
result  of  its  exclusion  from  Essen. 

The  Commission  is  organized  as  a  Gun  Foundry  Board  ;  its  essential  work  concerns 
itself  with  the  arrangement  of  shops,  the  selection  and  position  of  tools,  machines, 
&c. — in  a  word,  with  "installation."  Matters  of  manufacture  of  metal,  construc- 
tion of  guns,  &c.,  come  in  as  incidental,  and  bear  much  on  the  special  object  of  its 
mission ;  but  gun-practice  is  a  luxury  which  can  only  be  indulged  in  when  the  more 
essential  features  of  its  work  do  not  engage  the  attention  of  the  Commission. 
Very  respectfully, 

E.  SIMPSON, 

Commodore,  United  States  Navy,  President  of  the  Board. 
FRIED.  KRUPP,  Esq., 

Per  Alfred  Longsdon,  Esq., 

Essen. 


RECORD  OF  PROCEEDINGS. 


KECOKD 

OF   THE 

CONVENING    SESSIONS  AND  PEOOEEDINGS   OF  THE   GUN 

FOUNDRY  BOAED, 

April  10,  1883,  to  February  8,  1884. 


Gux  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
COMMANDANT'S  OFFICE,  NAVY- YARD,  LEAGUE  ISLAND, 

Philadelphia,  Pa.,  April  10,  1883. 

The  Board  met  at  10.45  a.  m.,  in  accordance  with  the  precept  issued  by  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  (File  Book,  p.  2),  instructions  received  from  the  honorable 
Secretary  of  the  Navy  (File  Book,  p.  1),  and  order  of  Commodore  Edward  Simpson, 
U.  S.  N.,  senior  member  (Letter-Press  Book,  p.  3),  and  organized  as  follows  : 

Commodore  Edward  Simpson,  United  States  Navy,  member,  president  of  the  Board. 

Capt.  Edmund  O.  Matthews,  United  States  Navy,  member. 

Col.  Thomas  G.  Baylor,  Ordnance  Department,  United  States  Army,  member. 

Lieut.  Col.  Henry  L.  Abbot,  Engineer  Corps,  United  States  Army,  member. 

Maj.  Samuel  S.  Elder,  Second  Artillery,  United  States  Army,  member. 

Lieut.  William  H.  Jaques,  United  States  Navy,  member,  secretary  of  the  Board. 

All  members  present. 

The  precept  and  instructions  were  read  by  the  president. 

After  discussion,  the  following  were  accepted  as  the  principal  requisites  of  location 
and  adaptability  of  site  : 

Defensibility. 

Possibility  of  expansion. 

Convenience  of  proving  and  testing. 

Proximity  of  iron. 

Proximity  of  coal. 

Proximity  of  skilled  labor. 

Proximity  of  water  communication. 

Character  of  foundation. 

Salubrity  of  climate. 

It  was  also  decided  to  prepare  letters  to  the  Secretaries  of  War  and  the  Navy  ask- 
ing for  any  information  in  their  possession  relating  to  the  description,  capacity,  and 
cost  of  the  equipment  of  European  arsenals  and  foundries  capable  of  casting  and 
manufacturing  the  largest  guns.  Also,  for  plans  of  the  various  navy-yards  and  ar- 
senals, said  plans  to  cover  the  accepted  requisites  of  location  and  adaptability 

It  was  further  decided  to  prepare  a  circular  letter  to  the  steel  manufacturers  and 
gun  factors  asking  what  Government  assistance  would  be  necessary  to  enable  them 
to  undertake  the  casting  and  manufacture  of  the  largest  guns,  inclosing  copies  of 
Army  Ordnance  Circular  Letter  and  Army  General  Order  No.  20.  To  be  included  in 
this  is  the  estimate  of  a  steam  hammer  for  or  other  means  of  the  manufacture  of  80 
and  100  ton  guns. 

After  further  discussion  of  plan  of  action,  the  Board,  at  2  p.  m.,  adjourned  subject 
to  call  of  president. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
COMMANDANT'S  OFFICE,  NAVY- YARD,  LEAGUE  ISLAND, 

Philadelphia,  Pa.,  May  18,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10.45  a.  m.,  in  pursuance  of  the  order  of  its  president  of  May  9,  1883. 
All  members  present. 

The  record  of  the  last  meeting  was  read  and  approved. 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  read  and  file  communications.    (File  Book  A.  Nos.  12, 
13,  15,  16,  18,  19,  20,  >7,  28,  30,  31,  36,  37,  38.) 

71 


72  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

Read,  considered,  and  placed  on  file  the  following  correspondence :  From  Mr.  Thomas 
S.Kennedy,  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  offering  his  homestead  ;is  a  site  for  the  proposed 
foundry  (File  Book  6,  7,  8,  9,  33) ;  from  Senator  Mahone,  of  Petersburg,  Va.  (File 
Book  24)  ;  and  from  Mr.  George  F.  Tyler,  president  of  the  Norfolk  and  Western  Railroad 
Company  (File  Book  29)  ;  and  from  Morgan,  Williams  &  Co.  (File  Book  11). 

The  Board  then  proceeded  with  the  discussion  of  the  navy-yards  and  arsenals  to  be 
visited,  and,  after  consideration  of  their  location  and  adaptability,  concluded  for  the 
present  not  to  visit  the  following,  viz  :  Beaufort  naval  station,  S.  C.  ;  Key  West  naval 
station,  Fla;  Mare  Island  navy-yard,  Cal. ;  Pensacola  navy-yard,  Fla.:  Augusta 
Arsenal,  Ga. ;  Benicia  Arsenal,  Cal. ;  Fort  Monroe  Arsenal,  Old  Point  Comfort,  Va.; 
Indianapolis  Arsenal,  Ind.  ;  Kennebec  Arsenal,  Augusta,  Me.  ;  New  York  Arsenal,  Gov- 
ernor's Island,  New  York  Harbor  ;  and  San  Antonio  Arsenal,  Texas,  leaving  the  follow- 
ing to  be  visited,  viz :  Boston  navy-\  ard,  Mass.  ;  League  Island  navy-yard,  Philadel- 
phia, Pa.  ;  New  London  naval  station.  Conn.  ;  New  York  navy-yard,  N.  Y.  ;  Norfolk 
navy-yard,  Va. ;  Portsmouth  navy-yard,  N.  H. ;  Washington  navy-yard,  D.  C.  ;  Alle- 
gheny Arsenal,  Pittsburgh,  Pa.;  Frankford  Arsenal,  Philadelphia,  Pa.;  Springtield 
Armory,  Mass. ;  Rock  Island  Arsenal,  111. ;  Watertown  Arsenal,  Mass. ;  and  Watervliet 
Arsenal,  West  Troy,  N.  Y. 

On  motion,  it  was  voted  that  the  president  of  the  Board  be  requested  to  communi- 
cate with  the  Secretaries  of  War  and  the  Navy  upon  the  subject  of  the  advisability  of 
visiting  gun  foundries  in  Europe,  which,  in  its  opinion,  is  necessary  to  gain  the  desired 
information. 

After  discussion  of  the  course  to  be  pursued  in  making  the  designated  visits,  the 
Board  inspected  the  navy-}  ard,  League  Island,  Philadelphia,  and  adjourned  at  2.30 
p.  m.  to  meet  in  Norfolk,  Va.,  on  Tuesday,  the  29th  instant,  to  examine  the  Noifolk 
navy-yard. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

Norfolk,  Va.,  May  29,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10.30  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 

Visited  and  examined  the  Norfolk  navy-yard  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the 
advantages  of  this  location  for  a  Government  foundry.  After  discussion  and  due 
consideration  of  the  requirements  indicated  by  the  Board  as  a  standard  of  reference, 
the  Board  reserved  its  decision  in  the  case  of  this  yard  until  farther  informed  of  the 
characteristics  of  other  points  to  be  visited  in  accordance  with  the  President's  order. 

Read  and  filed  communications,  Pennsylvania  Railroad  (File  Book  40),  Anderson 
Du  Puy  &  Co.  (File  Book  39),  Park  Bro.  &  Co.  (File  Book  42). 

At  2  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  in  Washington,  D.  C.,  Wednesday,  the  30th  instant. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
Washington,  D.  C.,  May  30,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 

Visited  and  examined  the  Washington  navy-yard  for  the  purpose  of  determining 
the  advantages  of  this  location  for  a  Government  foundry. 

After  discussion  and  due  consideration  of  the  requirements  indicated  by  the  Board 
as  a  standard  of  reference,  the  Board  reserved  its  decision  in  the  case  of  this  yard 
until  further  informed  of  the  characteristics  of  other  points  to  be  visited  in  accordance 
with  the  President's  order.  The  Board  also  inspected  the  ordnance  work  in  progress 
at  this  yard. 

At  3  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  Thursday,  the  31st  instant,  at  10 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  May  31,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Visited  and  examined  the  Allegheny  Arsenal,  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  for  the  purpose  of 
determining  the  advantages  of  this  location  for  a  Government  foundry. 

After  discussion  and  due  consideration  of  the  requirements  indicated  by  the  Board 
as  a  standard  of  reference,  the  Board  reserved  its  decision  in  the  case  of  this  arsenal 
until  further  informed  of  the  characteristics  of  other  points  to  be  visited  in  accord- 
ance with  the  President's  order. 


APPENDICES.  73 

The  Board  also  visited  the  Black  Diamond  Steel  Works  of  Messrs.  Park  Brothers, 
and  examined  the  operation  of  the  seventeen-ton  hammer,  one  of  the  largest  in  the 
United  States.  An  investigation  of  the  manufacture  of  steel  at  this  establishment 
showed  the  metal  was  entirely  produced  by  the  Siemens  process,  applied  not  only  to 
the  open-hearth  method,  but  also  to  the  furnaces  in  which  the  crucible  steel  is  made. 

At  5  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  in  Johnstown,  Pa.,  Friday,  June  1,  at  11  am. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

Johnstotvn,  Pa.,  June  1,  1883. 

Board  met  at  11  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Visited  the  Cambria  Iron  Works,  and  witnessed  the  operation  of  the  production  of 
steel  by  the  Siemens  open-hearth  rotary  furnace,  of  which  there  were  two  in  opera- 
tion, and  another  in  process  of  construction,  of  a  capacity  of  about  20  tons  each. 
The  Board  also  inspected  the  blast  furnaces,  steel-rail  mills,  and  other  works  of  this 
large  establishment. 
At  5.50  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  subject  to  call  of  the  president. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
Cold  Spring,  N.  Y.,  June  14,  1883. 

Board  met  at  1  p.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Visited  the  Cold  Spring  Foundry  and  Gun  Factory  of  Messrs.  Paulding,  Kemble  <fc 
Co.,  and  examined  its  site  and  the  capacity  and  condition  of  its  plant.     The  Board 
then  proceeded  to  read  and  file  communications.     (File  Book  49,  51,  52.) 
At  4  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  in  West  Troy,  N.  Y.,  Friday,  June  15,  at  9  a.  in. 


WEST  TROY,  N.  Y.,  June  15, 1883. 

Board  met  at  9  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 

Visited  arid  examined  the  Watervliet  Arsenal,  West  Troy,  N.  Y.,  for  the  purpose  of 
determining  the  advantages  of  this  location  for  a  Government  foundry. 

After  discussion  and  due  consideration  of  the  requirements  indicated  by  the  Board 
as  a  standard  of  reference,  the  Board  reserved  its  decision  in  the  case  of  this  arsenal 
until  further  informed  of  the  characteristics  of  other  points  to  be  visited  in  accord- 
ance with  the  President's  order. 

At  1  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  Saturday,  June  16,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
Springfield,  Mass.,  June  16,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Visited  and  examined  the  National  Armory.  Springfield,  Mass.,  for  the  purpose  of 
determining  the  advantages  of  this  location  for  a  Government  foundry. 

After  discussion  and  due  consideration  of  the  requirements  indicated  by  the  Board 
as  a  standard  of  reference,  the  Board  reserved  its  decision  in  the  case  of  this  armory, 
until  further  irformed  of  the  characteristics  of  other  points  to  be  visited  in  accord- 
ance with  the  President's  order. 

Examined  also  the  steam  hammer,  furnace,  and  hydraulic  anvil  erected  in  the  works 
for  the  manufacture  of  the  Hitchcock  gun. 

At  I  p.  in.  adjourned  to  meet  in  Boston,  Monday,  June  18,  at  8.30  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

Boston,  Mass.,  June  18,  1883. 

Board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 

Discussed  the  suggested  necessity  of  the  employment  of  a  mechanical  expert  and  a 

recorder  to  accompany  the  Board  during  its  European  inspection,  and  concluded  the 

employment  of  the  latter  was  not  necessary  at  the  present  time,  and  postponed  action 

in  regard  to  the  former  until  the  necessity  of  his  services  might  be  proved. 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  Union  Market,  Mass.,  and  examined  the  Watertown 


74  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

Arsenal,  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the  advantages  of  this  location  for  a  Govern- 
ment foundry. 

After  discussion  and  due  consideration  of  the  requirements  indicated  by  the  Board 
as  a  standard  of  reference,  the  Board  reserved  its  decision  in  the  case  of  this  arsenal 
until  further  informed  of  the  charactistics  of  other  points  to  be  visited  in  accordance 
with  the  President's  order. 

Examined  also  the  Emory  testing  machine  erected  in  those  works  and  said  to  be 
the  most  excellent,  delicate,  and  powerful  testing  machine  in  the  world. 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  Charlebtowu,  Mass.,  and  examined  the  Boston  navy- 
yard,  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the  advantages  of  this  location  for  a  Govern- 
ment foundry. 

After  discussion  and  due  consideration  of  the  requirements  indicated  by  the  Board 
as  a  standard  of  reference,  the  Board  reserved  its  decision  in  the  case  of  this  navy-yard 
until  further  informed  of  the  characteristics  of  other  points  to  be  visited  in  accord- 
ance with  the  President's  order. 

At  4  p.  in.  adjourned  to  meet  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  Tuesday,  June  19,  1883,  at  8 
a.  in. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  June  19,  1883. 

Board  met  at  8  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Visited  and  examined  the  navy-yard  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the  advantages 
of  this  location  for  a  Government  foundry.     After  discussion  and  due  consideration 
of  the  requirements  indicated  by  the  Board  as  a  standard  of  reference,  the  Board  re- 
served its  decision  in  the  case  of  this  navy-yard  until  further  informed  of  the  char- 
acteristics of  other  points  to  be  visited  in  accordance  with  the  President's  order. 
At  11  a.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  in  Boston,  Mass.,  Tuesday,  June  19, 1883,  at  2  p.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
Boston,  Mass.,  June  19,  1883. 

Board  met  at  2  p.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Visited  the  South  Boston  Iron  Works  and  Gun  Factory,  South  Boston,  Mass.,  and 
examined  its  site  and  the  capacity  and  condition  of  its  plant. 

At  5  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  in  New  London,  Conn.,  Wednesday,  June  20,  1883,  at 
10.30  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
New  London,  Conn  ,  June  20,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10.30  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Visited  and  examined  the  New  London  naval  station  for  the  purpose  of  determin- 
ing the  advantages  of  this  location  for  a  Government  foundry.  After  discussion  and 
due  consideration  of  the  requirements  indicated  by  the  Board  as  a  standard  of  refer- 
ence, the  Board  reserved  its  decision  in  the  case  of  this  naval  station  until  further 
informed  of  the  characteristics  of  other  points  to  be  visited  in  accordance  with  the 
President's  order. 

At  3.30  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  subject  to  call  of  the  president. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
New  YorJc,N.  Y.,July  18,  1883. 

Board  met  on  board  Cunard  royal  mail  steamer  "  Servia,"  and  left  the  United  States 
for  England,  in  accordance  with  orders  of  the  Secretary  of  War  (File  Book  A,  p.  53) 
and  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  (File  Book  A,  p.  45).  All  members  present. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
London,  England,  July  27,  1883. 

Board  met  pursuant  to  the  order  of  its  president.     All  members  present. 
The  president  was  requested  to  communicate  with  the  United  States  minister  to 
England,  and  ask  his  aid  in  obtaining  permission  to  visit  the  Government  establish- 
ments. 

The  Board  then  adjourned  to  meet  Monday,  the  30th  instant,  at  10  a.m. 


APPENDICES.  75 

GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
London,  England,  Monday,  July  30,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.  pursuant  to  adjournment.  All  members  present  except  Col- 
onel Baylor,  absent  on  account  of  sickness. 

Sent  communications.    (Letter  Book,  pp.  118-120.) 

Received  and  riled  communications.    (File  Book  B,  p.  1.) 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  pay  an  official  call  upon  the  honorable  James  Russell 
Lowell,  United  States  minister,  and  accepted  the  invitation  of  Sir  Joseph  Whit  worth, 
Bart.,  to  call  at  his  London  office  and  inspect  his  systems  of  gun  construction,  pro- 
jectile manufacture -ind  armor  plating,  with  specimens  of  machines  for  testing  same. 

Adjourned  at  4  p.  m.  to  meet  at  8  p.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
BROWN'S  HOTEL,  DOVER  STREET, 
London,  England,  Monday,  July  30,  1883. 

Board  met  afc>  8  p.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  All  members  present  except  Col- 
onel Baylor,  absent  on  account  of  sickness. 

The  Board  proceeded  to  discuss  plans  for  future  action,  and  requested  the  president 
to  communicate  with  the  following-named  manufacturers  in  relation  to  its  proposed 
visit  to  their  works,  viz:  Alfred  Longsdon,  Fried.  Krupp's  Cast-Steel  Works,  9  New 
Broad  street,  London;  Thomas  Firth  &  Sons,  Norfolk  Works.  Sheffield;  Charles  Cam- 
mell  &Co.,  Sheffield;  Sir  John  Brown  &  Co.,  Sheffield  ;  Sir  William  Armstrong,  Mitchell 
&  Co.,  Elswick,  Newcastle-on-Tyne  ;  Messrs.  Vickers,  Sons  &  Co.,  Sheffield;  and  Henry 
Bessemer  &  Co.,  Sheffield. 

The  president  was  also  requested  to  address  a  letter  to  the  honorable  L.  P.  Morton, 
United  States  minister  to  France,  asking  his  kind  offices  in  securing,  in  advance  of 
the  arrival  of  the  Board,  permits  from  the  French  Government  to  visit  their  works  at 
Puteaux,  Ruelle,  Bourges,  Gavre,  and  Sevran-Livry. 

Sent  communication.     (Letter  Book,  p.  123.) 

At  10.30  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  Wednesday,  August  1,  at  9.30  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
London,  England,  Wednesday,  August  1,  1883. 

Board  met  at  9.30  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  All  members  present  except 
Colonel  Baylor,  absent  on  account  of  sickness. 

Received  from  English  war  office,  through  Lieutenant-Commander  Chadwick,  naval 
attache",  and  in  answer  to  his  request  a  "list  of  machinery  employed  in  the  construc- 
tion of  steel  B.  L.  guns  in  the  Royal  Gun  Factory,  Woolwich,  together  with  a  list  of 
the  addresses  of  the  firms  from  whom  the  necessary  appliances  are  procurable." 

Sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  126-132.) 

Read  and  filed  communication.     (File  Book  B,  p.  2.) 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  the  Royal  Arsenal  at  Woolwich  and  visited  the  gun 
factories,  after  which  it  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Thursday,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
BROWN'S  HOTEL,  DOVER  STREET, 

Thursday,  August  2,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Read  and  filed  communications.     (File  Book  B,  pp.  4,5.) 

Received  a  visit  from  Mr.  Greenwood,  of  the  firm  of  Greenwood  &  Batly,  tool  man- 
ufacturers, of  Leeds.  Discussed  with  him  the  subject  of  tools,  particularly  as  to 
sizes  and  number  requisite  to  perform  certain  work  in  a  certain  time.  Mr.  Greenwood 
proposed  to  prepare  and  submit  to  the  Board  a  plan  of  works  and  an  arrangement  of 
shops  and  tools  calculated  to  accomplish  the  work  proposed  by  the  Board. 
Sent  communications.  (Letter  Book,  pp.  133,  134.) 

The  Board  then  visited  and  inspected  the  London  Ordnance  Works  of  Messrs.  J. 
Vavasseur  &  Co.,  after  which  it  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Friday,  3d  instant,  at 
9.30  a.  m. 


76  REPORT    OF    GUN    FOUNDRY    BOARD. 

GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD,    • 

London,  England,  Friday,  August  3,  1883. 

Board  met  at  9.30  a.  m.,  pursuant  lo  adjournment.     All  members  present. 

Read  and  filed  communications.     (File  Book  B,  pp.  6-10.) 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  the  Woolwich  Arsenal,  visited  the  gun,  carriage,  and 
projectile  factories,  the  laboratory,  and  witnessed  a  trial  of  the  Vavasseur  gun-car- 
riage for  4-inch  B.  L.  rifle. 

Sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  135-137.) 

The  Board  then  adjourned,  to  meet  Tuesday,  the  7th  instant,  at  9.30  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
London,  England,  Tuesday,  August  7,  1883. 

Board  met,  pursuant  to  adjournment,  at  9.30  a.  m.     All  members  present. 
Read  and  filed  communications.    (File  Book  B,  pp.  11-15  and  17.) 
Sent  communications.    (Letter  Book,  pp.  138-143.) 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  Woolwich  Arsenal  and  continued  its  inspection,  after 
which  it  adjourned,  to  meet  subject  to  call  of  its  president. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
London,  England,  Wednesday,  August  8,  1883. 
Board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Sent  communication.     (Letter  Book,  p.  145.) 
Read  and  filed  communication      (File  Book  B,  p.  16.) 

Accompanied  by  Mr.  J.  Vavasseur,  of  London,  and  Lieutenant-Commander  F.  E. 
Chadwick,  naval  attache"  to  the  legation,  London,  the  Board  proceeded  to  Sheffield, 
and  adjourned,  to  meet  to-morrow,  Thursday,  the  9th  instant,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

ROYAL  VICTORIA  HOTEL, 
Sheffield,  England,  Thursday,  August  9,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
The  Board  proceeded  to  the  Norfolk  Iron  and  Steel  Works  of  Thomas  Firth  &  Sons, 
Limited;  witnessed  a  casting  of  crucible  steel,  and  inspected  the  works. 
Read  and  filed  communication.     (File  Book  B,  p.  18a.) 

Received  from  Varrall,Elwell  &  Middleton,  constructing  machinists,  Paris,  France, 
through  Lieutenant-Commander  Chadwick,  tracings  and  descriptions  of  gun  milling 
and  drilling,  breech-screw  and  planing  and  rifling  machines  now  at  Ruelle,  France. 
At  5.30  p.  m.  adjourned,  to  meet  to-morrow,  Friday,  10th  instant,  at  10  a.  in. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

ROYAL  VICTORIA  HOTEL, 
Sheffield,  England,  Friday,  August  10,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  146-148.) 
Read  and  filed  communication.     (File  Book  B,  p.  18.) 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  the  Atlas  Steel  and  Iron  Works  of  John  Brown  & 
Co.,  Limited,  and  witnessed  the  process  of  soldering  iron  and  steel  plates  for  armor, 
the  Bessemer  process  of  manufacture,  and  inspected  the  works. 

At  3  p.  in.  the  Board  proceeded  to  the  Iron  and  Steel  Works  of  Charles  Cammell  & 
Co.,  Limited,  and  witnessed  the  formation  of  a  compound  armor  plate  by  the  process 
of  a  steel  casting  upon  a  wrought-iron  plate  prepared  for  the  purpose.  Inspected 
the  Bessemer  plant  and  other  parts  of  the  works. 

At  5.30  p.  m.,  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Saturday,  the  llth  instant,  at  10a.m. 


APPENDICES.  77 

GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

ROYAL  VICTORIA  HOTEL, 
Sheffield,  England,  Saturday,  August  11,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Read  and  filed  communication.     (File  Book  B,  p.  19.) 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  the  River  Don  Works  of  Messrs.  Vickers,  Sons  &  Co., 
Limited,  and  inspected  the  forge  and  machine  shops,  but  were  not  invited  to  view 
the  process  of  steel  manufacture. 
At  1  p.  m.  adjourned,  to  meet  011  Monday,  the  13th  instant,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUJN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

ROYAL  VICTORIA  HOTEL, 
Sheffield,  England,  Monday,  August  13,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Read  and  filed  communication.     (File  Book  B,  p.  22.) 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  the  Bessemer  Steel  Works  of  Henry  Bessemer  &  Co., 
Limited ;  inspected  the  works,  and  witnessed  a  five-ton  casting  by  the  Bessemer  pro- 
cess and  mechanical  mixer  or  stirrer. 

The  Board  then  adjourned  to  meet  in  Newcastle-on-Tyne,  Tuesday,  the  14th  instant, 
at  8  p.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

THE  COUNTY  HOTEL, 

Newcastle-on-Tyne,  England,  Tuesday,  August  14,  1883. 
Board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Read  and  filed  communications.     (File  Book  B,  pp.  23-25.) 
Sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  149-152.) 

The  Board  requested  its  president  to  communicate  with  the  Fried.  Krupp  Cast- 
Steel  Works,  regretting  the  Board's  inability  to  accept  the  kind  invitation  to  witness, 
at  Meppen,  an  exhibition  of  the  general  efficiency  of  the  Krupp  manufacture. 

The  president  was  also  requested  to  communicate  with  the  United  States  minister 
to  Russia,  and  ask  his  aid  in  obtaining  permission  to  visit  the  Government  establish- 
ments  there. 

Adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Wednesday,  the  loth  instant,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

THE  COUNTY  HOTEL, 

Newcastle-on-Tyne,  England,  Wednesday,  August  15,  1883. 
Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Sent  communication.     (Letter  Book,  p.  153.) 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  the  Elswick  Works,  Sir  W.  G.  Armstrong,  Mitchell  & 
Co.,  and  inspected  part  of  the  ordnance  works. 
At  2  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Thursday,  the  16th  instant,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

THE  COUNTY  HOTEL, 

Neuicastle-on-Tyne,  England,  Thursday,  August  16,  1883. 
Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  155,  156.) 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  Middlesbrough,  and  inspected  the  Cleveland  Iron  and 
Steel  Works  of  Bolchow,  Vaughan  &Co.,  and  witnessed  the  production  of  steel  by  the 
basic  process. 

The  Board  then  returned  to  Newcastle-on-Tyne,  and  at  5.30  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet 
to-morrow,  Friday,  the  17th  instant,  at  10  a.  m. 


78  REPORT    OF    UUN    FOUNDRY    BOARD. 

GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

Neiccastle-on-Tyne,  England,  Friday,  August  17,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  in.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.         All  members  present. 
Read  and  filed  communications.     (File  Book  B,  pp.  26,  27.) 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  a  further  inspection  of  the  Els  wick  Works,  Sir  W.  G. 
Armstrong,  Mitchell  &  Co. 

At  3  p.  m.  adjourned  to  continue  the  inspection  of  these  \vorks  to-morrow,  Satur- 
day, the  18th  instant,  and  to  meet  on  Monday,  the  20th  instant,  at  10  a.  m. 


AUGUST  18,  1883. 
By  direction  of  the  president,  sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  158,  159.) 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

THE  COUNTY  HOTEL, 

Newcastle-on-Tyne,  England,  Monday,  August  20,  1883. 
Board  met  at  10  a.  in.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.      All  members  present. 
Read  and  filed  communications.     (File  Book  B,  pp.  28,^9.) 

Received  accompanying  drawings  and  descriptions  of  4-foot  sliding-gap  lathe  and 
3-foot  screw  cutting  and  sliding  lathe  from  Varrall,  Elwell  &  Middleton,  of  Paris, 
France. 

Sent  communication.     (Letter  Book,  p.  160.) 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  make  another  visit  to  the  Elswick  Works,  after  which 
it  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Tuesday,  the  21st  instant,  at  11  a.  m.,  in  Leeds. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

QUEEN'S  HOTEL, 
Leeds,  England,  Tuesday,  August  21,  1883. 

Board  met  at  11  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 

The  Board  proceeded  to  the  offices  and  works  of  Messrs.  Greenwood  &  Batey  and 
inspected  plans  of  machinery  and  tools  for  the  manufacture  of  guns. 

At  2  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Wednesday,  the  22d  instant,  at  10  a.  m., 
in  Manchester. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

QUEEN'S  HOTEL, 

Manchester,  England,  Wednesday,  August  22,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
The  Board  proceeded  to  the  office  and  works  of  Messrs.  Hulse  &  Co.,  and  inspected 
plans  of  machinery  and  tools  for  the  manufacture  of  guns. 
At  1  p.  in.  adjourned  to  proceed  to  London,  and  meet  subject  to  call  of  its  president. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
BROWN'S  HOTEL,  DOVER  STREET, 
London,  England,  Friday,  August  24,  1883. 

Board  met  at  8  p.  m.,  at  its  president's  call.    All  members  present. 
Read  and  filed  communications.    (File  Book  B,  pp.  30, 31.) 
Sent  communication.     (Letter  Book,  p.  161.) 

After  discussion,  Board  adjourned  at  10  p.  m.,  to  meet  in  Paris,  France,  Wednesday, 
the  29th  instant,  at  10  a.  m. 


APPENDICES.  79 

GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
THE  NORMANDY  HOTEL,  RUE  DE  L'ECHELLE, 

Paris,  France,  Wednesday,  August  29,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Received  communication.     (File  Book  B,  p.  42.) 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  pay  an  official  call  upon  the  Hon.  L.  P.  Morton,  United 
States  minister  to  France,  and  visited  the  works  of  the  "Socie'te'  Anonyme  des  An- 
ciens  EtabPts  Gail,"  Paris. 
The  Board  then  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Thursday,  the  30th  instant,  at  11 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

THE  NORMANDY  HOTEL, 
Paris,  France,  Thursday,  August  30,  1883. 

Board  met  at  11  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  All  members  present. 
The  Board  then  proceeded,  in  company  with  Minister  Morton  and  his  first  secretary 
of  legation,  to  call  upon  the  military  governor  of  Paris,  in  accordance  with  the  re- 
quest of  the  French  minister  of  war  of  August  18th,  and  left  communication  (File 
Book  B,  p.  43),  after  which  the  Board  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Friday,  the  31st 
instant,  at  9.30  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

THE  NORMANDY  HOTEL, 
Paris,  France,  Friday,  August  31,  1883. 

Board  met  at  9.30  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Received  communication  (File  Book  B,  p.  43)  from  the  military  governor  of  Paris, 
with  his  indorsement. 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  visit  the  Etablissement  d'Artillerie  de  Puteaux,  near 
Paris;  after  which  the  Board  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Saturday,  September  1, 
at  11  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

THE  NORMANDY  HOTEL, 
Paris,  France,  Saturday,  September  1,  1883. 

Board  met  at  11  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
After  discussion,  decided  to  leave  Paris  Monday,  the  3d  instant,  at  8.45  a.m., for 
Angoul6rue,  Bourges,  Lyons,  and  Le  Creusot. 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  Sevran-Livry,  near  Paris,  and  inspected  the  ponder 
factory  and  butts  of  Sevran-Livry. 

Received  and  filed  communications.     (File  Book  B,  pp.  34, 35.) 

The  Board  then  adjourned  to  meet  Monday,  the  3d  instant,  at  8  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

Sunday,  September  2,  1883. 
Sent  communications.    (Letter  Book,  pp.  184-187.) 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
Paris,  France,  Monday,  September  3,  1883. 

Board  met  at  8  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
The  Board  proceeded  to  Augoul&ne,  France,  by  way  of  Orleans  and  Tours,  to  visit 
the  gun  factory  of  Ruelle. 

Adjourned  at  4  p.  m.  to  meet  to-morrow,  Tuesday,  the  4th  instant,  at  11  a.  m. 


80  REPORT    OF    GUN    FOUNDRY    BOARD. 

GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

GRAND  HOTEL  DU  PALAIS, 
Angouleme  France,  Tuesday,  September  4,  1883. 

Board  met  at  11  a.  in.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Proceeded  by  carriage  (40  minutes'  drive)  to  Ruelle,  and  inspected  the  National 
Gun  Foundry. 

At  6  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Wednesday,  the  5th  instant,  at  noon. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

Angouleme,  France,  Wednesday,  September  5,  1883. 
Board  met  at  noon,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
The  Board  then  proceeded  to  Ruelle,  and  continued  its  inspection  of  the  National 
Gun  Foundry  there. 
At  6  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Thursday,  the  6th  instant,  at  9.30  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

Angouleme,  France,  Thursday,  September  6, 1883. 

Board  met  at  9.30  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
The  Board  then  proceeded,  via  Tours  and  Vierzou,  to  Bourges,  where  it  arrived  at 
8.45  p.  m.,  and  adjourned,  to  meet  to-morrow,  Friday,  the  7th  instant,  at  9.45  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

GRAND  HOTEL  DE  LA  BOULE  D'OR, 

Bourges,  France,  Friday,  September  7, 1883. 

Board  met  at  9.45  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  All  members  present. 
The  Board  then  proceeded  to  pay  an  official  call,  accompanied  by  Lieutenant-Com- 
mander Chadwick,  naval  attache"  to  the  legation,  London,  upon  General  Schne"egaiis, 
commandant  of  the  eighth  army  corps,  and  then  visited  and  inspected  the  gun  fac- 
tory of  Bourges  ;  after  which  it  adjourned,  to  meet  to-morrow,  Saturday,  the  8th  in- 
stant, at  8  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
Bourges,  France,  Saturday,  September  8,  1883. 

Board  met  at  8  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
The  Board  then  proceeded  to  Lyons,  France,  via  Sauscaize,  Moulins,  Roanne,  and 
L'Arbresle,  and  adjourned  at  9  p.  m.,  to  meet  Monday,  the  10th  instant,  at  8.30  a.  m. 
Received  communications.     (File  Book  B,  pp.  36-38.) 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

GRAND  HOTEL  DE  LYON, 
Lyons,  France,  Sunday,  September  9,  1883. 
By  direction  of  the  president,  sent  communication.     (Letter  Book,  p.  188.) 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

GRAND  HOTEL  DE  LYON, 
Lyons,  France,  Monday,  September  10,  1883. 

Board  met  at  8.30  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  All  members  present,  except 
Colonel  Baylor,  absent  on  account  of  sickness. 

The  Board  proceeded  to  Terre  Noire,  inspected  the  works  of  the  "  Compagnie  des 
Fonderies  et  Forges  de  Terre  Noire,  La  Voulte  et  Besseges,"  and  witnessed  experi- 
ments with  the  Ripley-Hope  steel  gun  of  127  millimetres. 


APPENDICES.  81 

The  Board  then  returned  to  Lyons  and  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Tuesday,  the 
llth  instant,  at  9  a.  m. 

Received  from  the  War  Office,  Horse  Guards,  S.  W.,  London,  England,  through 
Lieut.  Commander  F.  E.  Chadwick,  United  States  Navy,  naval  attache",  permit  to 
visit  the  works  of  fortification  at  Dover  Turret. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
Lyons,  France,  Tuesday,  September  11,  1883. 

Board  met  pursuant  to  adjournment  and  proceeded  to  St.-Chamond.  All  members 
present. 

Inspected  the  works  of  the  "  Compagnie  des  Hauts-Fourneaux,  Forges  et  Aci^ries 
de  la  Marine  et  des  Chemins  de  Fer  a  St.-Chamond  (Loire),"  witnessed  the  rolling 
of  a  compound  plate  (manufactured  by  the  Wilson  patent),  the  casting  of  a  16-ton 
ingot,  and  the  forging  of  an  ingot  of  the  same  weight  under  the  80-ton  hammer. 

The  Board  then  returned  to  Lyons,  and  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Wednesday, 
the  12th  instant,  at  10  a.  m. 

Received  and  filed  communication.     (File  Book  B,  p.  44.) 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
Lyons,  France,  Wednesday,  September  12,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Proceeded  to  Chagny,  France. 
At  8  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Thursday,  the  13th  instant,  at  7.30  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

HOTEL  DU  COMMERCE, 

Chagny,  France,  Thursday,  September  13,  1883. 

Board  met  at  7.30  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Proceeded  to  Le  Creusot  and  inspected  a  part  of  the  steel  works  of  Henri  Schneider 
&  Co.     Witnessed  the  tempering  of  a  24-centimetre  gun  tube,  and  the  casting  of  a 
45-ton  steel  ingot. 
At  5.30  p.  m,  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Friday,  the  14th  instant,  at  8.30  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

HOTEL  RODERIGUE, 

Le  Creusot,  France,  Friday,  September  14,  1883. 

Board  met  at  8.30  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Continued  the  inspection  of  the  Creusot  steel  works  and  witnessed  the  forging  of 
a  75-ton  ingot  under  the  100-ton  hammer. 
At  6.45  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Saturday,  the  15th  instant,  at  8  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

Le  Creusot,  France,  Saturday,  September  15,  1883. 

Board  met  at  8  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Proceeded  to  Paris,  via  Chagny,  Dijon,  and  Fontainebleau. 
At  6  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  Monday,  the  17th  instant,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

THE  NORMANDY  HOTEL, 
Paris,  France,  Monday,  September  17,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Read  and  filed  communications.     (File  Book  B,  pp.  39-41.) 

It  was  resolved  to  select  a  committee  to  visit  St.  Petersburg,  Russia,  to  further  the 
work  of  the  Board,  and  Captain  Matthews,  United  States  Navy,  Lieutenant-Colonel 
Abbot,  United  States  Army,  and  Lieutenant  Jaques,  United  States  Navy,  were  ap- 
pointed members  of  such  committee. 

H.  Ex.  97 6 


82  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

The  following  committees  were  also  appointed : 

Colonel  Baylor  and  Major  Elder,  United  States  Army,  to  consult  with  the  tool  man- 
ufacturers of  Manchester  and  Leeds,  England,  during  the  absence  of  the  committee 
in  Russia. 

Captain  Matthews,  United  States  Navy,  and  Lieutenant-Colonel  Abbot,  United  States 
Army,  on  buildings. 

Colonel  Baylor  and  Major  Elder,  United  States  Army,  and  Lieutenant  Jaques,  United 
States  Navy,  on  the  number  and  placing  of  tools  in  shops. 

The  Board  requested  the  president  to  communicate  with  the  Hon.  W.  H.  Hunt, 
United  States  minister  to  Russia,  in  relation  to  the  visit  of  the  committee  to  Russia; 
with  M.  Henri  Schneider,  of  Le  Creusot;  M.  Euverte,  director  of  the  Compagnie  des 
Fonderies  et  Forges  de  Terre  Noire ;  M.  de  Mongolfier,  the  director  of  the  Compagnie  des 
Hauts-Fourneaux,  Forges  et  Acie"ries  de  la  Marine  et  des  Chemins  de  Fer  a  St.-Chamond 
(Loire);  M.  de  Bange,  the  director  of  the  Socie'te'  Auonymedes  Auciens  fitablissement 
Cail  a  Paris,  acknowledging  the  courteous  reception  extended  by  them  to  the  members 
of  the  Board;  with  the  Hon.  L.  P.  Morton,  United  States  minister  to  France,  acknowl- 
edging the  assistance  rendered  by  the  military  and  naval  authorities  of  France  and 
his  own  personal  courtesies;  and  with  Fried.  Krupp,  of  Essen,  per  Alfred  Longsdon, 
acknowledging  the  receipt  of  his  letter  of  the  1st  instant  and  expressing  the  impossi- 
bility of  accepting  his  modification  of  the  Board's  request. 

Sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  190,  166.) 

At  meridian  Board  adjourned  to  meet  subject  to  call  of  its  president. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
Paris,  France,  Tuesday,  September  18,  1883. 

Board  met  at  2  p.  m.,  at  its  president's  call.     All  members  present. 
Accompanied  by  Minister  Morton  and  his  first  secretary  of  legation,  paid  official 
calls  upon  the  ministers  of  war  and  navy. 
At  4  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  subject  to  president's  call. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

Paris,  France,  Wednesday,  September  19,  1883. 
By  direction  of  the  president,  sent  communications.     (Letber  Book,  pp.  171-177.) 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
From  September  19  to  October  5,  1883. 


Committee  of  Board  appointed  to  visit  Russia  engaged  in  its  duties  ;  other  members 
of  the  Board  occupied  in  France  and  England,  revisiting  the  arsenal  at  Puteaux,  col- 

cting 

otch 
lected. 


, 

lecting  information  on  wire  construction  in  France,  inspecting  the  works  of  Messrs, 
Hotchkiss  &  Co.,  at  St.-Denis,  and  compiling  and  arranging  the  information  col- 


GUN FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
Paris,  France,  Wednesday,  September  26,  1883. 
Sent  communication.     (Letter  Book,  p.  180. ) 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD  COMMITTEE, 

HOTEL  DE  FRANCE, 

St.  Petei-sburg,  Russia,  Monday,  September  24,  1883. 
Committee  met  at  10  a.  m.     All  members  present. 

Proceeded  to  pay  an  official  call  upon  the  Hon.  William  H.  Hunt,  United  States 
minister  to  Russia,  who  accompanied  the  committee  to  pay  official  calls  upon  the 
ministers  of  war  and  navy. 

The  committee  then  proceeded,  in  company  with  an  aide-de-camp  of  General 
Obroutcheff,  to  pay  an  official  call  upon  General  Sophiano,  chief  of  artillery,  and  ad- 
journed at  3  p.  m.  to  meet  to-morrow,  Tuesday,  the  25th  instant,  at  9.30  a.  m. 


APPENDICES.  83 

GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD  COMMITTEE, 
St.  Petersburg,  Russia,  Tuesday,  September  25,  1883. 

Committee  met  at  9.30  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 

Accompanied  by  Minister  Hunt,  proceeded  to  pay  an  official  call  upon  the  minis- 
ter of  the  navy,  Vice-Admiral  Shestakoff  (Le  Vice-Amiral  Shestakoff,  aide-de-camp 
G<Su6ral  de  S.  M.). 

The  committee,  accompanied  by  Captain  Alexandre  Von-der-Howen,  Garde  Artil- 
lerie  (by  direction  of  General  Obroutcheff,  acting  minister  of  war)  then  proceeded 
to  the  St.  Petersburg  Arsenal  ('*  Orondiinoi  Fawod  ")  and  inspected  the  work  in  hand, 
the  small-arm  ammunition  shops  and  laboratory,  after  which,  at  10  p.  m.,  it  adjourned 
to  meet  Thursday,  the  27th  instant,  at  8  a.  m.  (Wednesday,  the  26th  instant,  being  a 
holiday). 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD  COMMITTEE, 
St.  Petersburg,  Russia,  Thursday,  September  27,  1883. 

Committee  met  at  8  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Accompanied  by  Gunnery  Lieutenant  Raskazoff,  Imperial  Russian  Navy  (by  direc- 
tion of  Admiral  Shestakoff),  proceeded  in  an  admiralty  steam  launch  to  Oboukhoff, 
where  the  committee  inspected  the  Oboukhoff  Steel  Works  and  Gun  Factory. 
At  5  p.  in.  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Friday,  September  28,  at  8  a.  m. 
Received  communication.     (File  Book  B,  p.  49.) 
Sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  191, 192.) 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD  COMMITTEE, 
St.  Petersburg,  Russia,  Friday,  September  28,  1883. 

Committee  met  at  8  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 

Accompanied  by  Gunnery  Lieutenant  Raskazoff  and  Captain  Von-der-Howen,  pro- 
ceeded in  the  naval  yacht  Neva,  Commander  Satine,  to  Cronstadt,  where,  accompanied 
by  Lieutenant-General  Smaguine  (commanding  the  artillery  of  Cronstadt)  and  staff, 
and  Commander  Skragin  (representing  Admiral  Kazakewich),  proceeded  in  steam 
launches  to  inspect  the  harbor,  Forts  Constantine  and  Milutin,  the  iron-dads  "Peter 
the  Great"  and  "Vladimir,"  and  the  naval  torpedo  manufactory. 

At  7  p.  m.  returned  to  St.  Petersburg,  and  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Saturday, 
the  29th  instant,  at  8  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD  COMMITTEE, 
St.  Petersburg,  Russia,  Saturday,  September  29,  1883. 
Board  met  at  8  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Accompanied  by  Gunnery  Lieutenant  Raskazoff,  proceeded  by  carriage  to  the  ex- 
perimental grounds  at  Ochta,  where,  with  Admiral  Kouprianoff  and  staff  and  General 
Errne  and  staff,  inspected  the  experimental  batteries  and  armor  targets. 
At  3  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  in  London,  Friday,  October  5,  1883. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD  COMMITTEE, 

London,  England,  Friday,  October  5,  1883. 

Committee  met  at  noon,  pursuant  to  adjournment.    All  members  present. 
The  committee  then  proceeded  to  a  general  meeting  of  the  Board. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
London,  England,  Sunday,  September  30,  1883. 
Sent  communication.     (Letter  Book,  p.  193.) 


84  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
BROWN'S  HOTEL,  DOVER  STREET, 
London,  England,  Friday,  October  5,  1883. 

Board  met  at  meridian  at  its  president's  call.     All  members  present. 
Adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Saturday,  October  6,  at  11  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
London,  England,  Saturday,  October  6,  1883. 

Board  met  at  11  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  the  London  office  of  Sir  Joseph  Whitworth,  Bart.,  for 
the  purpose  of  listening  to  his  explanations  relating  to  his  process  of  the  manufacture 
of  steels,  guns,  and  projectiles,  after  which  the  Board  accepted  his  invitation  to  meet 
him  and  inspect  his  works  at  Openshaw,  Manchester,  on  Tuesday,  the  9th  instant,  at 
11  a.m. 

Having  returned  to  its  room,  the  Board  then  received  the  memorandum  notes  of  the 
committee,  lately  returned  from  Russia,  and  the  record  of  its  proceedings. 

The  Board  then  adjourned  to  meet  Tuesday,  October  9,  in  Manchester,  England,  at 
10*.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
Manchester,  England,  Tuesday,  Octobei*  9,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  and  inspected  the  steel  works  of  Sir  Joseph  Whitworth 
&  Co.  (Limited),  at  Openshaw,  Manchester,  and  witnessed  the  casting,  liquid  com- 
pression, and  hydraulic  forging  of  steel  by  the  Whitworth  methods. 

At  5  p.  m.  the  Board  proceeded  to  RowsUy,  where,  with  Sir  Joseph  Whitworth,  its 
deliberations  were  continued  until  10  p.  m.,  when  the  Board  adjourned  to  meet  in 
London,  subject  to  call  of  its  president. 

The  committee  on  number  and  placing  of  tools  in  shops  was  directed  to  proceed  to 
Leeds,  and  upon  the  completion  of  its  duties  there  to  proceed  to  London. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
London,  England,  Saturday,  October  13,  1883. 
Sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  199,200.) 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
BROWN'S  HOTEL,  DOVER  STREET, 
London,  England,  Monday,  October  15,  1883. 
Board  met  at  call  of  its  president. 

After  a  visit  to  Woolwich  Arsenal,  the  Board  reassembled  at  8  p.  m.  All  members 
present. 

Read  and  filed  communications.     (File  Book  B,  pp.  45-57.) 
Sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  202,  203.) 

The  committee  on  tools  reported  its  return  from  Leeds  and  Manchester,  having 
completed  its  duties  of  inspecting  the  plans  prepared  for  the  information  of  the  Board 
by  Messrs.  Greenwood  &  Batley  and  Tannett,  Walker  &  Co.,  of  Leeds,  and  Messrs. 
Hulse  &  Co.,  of  Manchester.  The  Board  then  proceeded  to  read  and  examine  various 
reports,  and  at  11  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Tuesday,  the  16th  instant,  at 
8  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
London,  England,  Tuesday,  October  16,  1883. 

Board  met  at  8  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present  except  Com- 
modore Simpson,  absent  on  account  of  sickness. 

The  Board  proceeded  to  Shoeburyness  and  witnessed  a  programme  of  practice  pre- 
pared by  direction  of  the  director  of  artillery  and  stores. 

At  8  p.  m.  Board  adjourned  to  meet  Saturday,  the  20th  instant,  at  meridian,  on  board 
the  Cunard  royal  mail  steamer  "Scythia,"  at  Liverpool. 


APPENDICES.  85 

GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
London,  England,  Thursday,  October  18,  1883. 
By  direction  of  the  president,  sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  204-212.) 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
CUNARD  ROYAL  MAIL  STEAMER  "SCYTHIA," 

Liverpool,  England,  Saturday,  October  20,  1883. 

Board  met  at  meridian,  pursuant  to  adjournment,  and  left  England  for  the  United 
States  in  accordance  with  orders  of  the  Secretary  of  War  (File  Book  A,  p.  53)  and 
Secretary  of  the  Navy  (File  Book  A,  p.  45).     All  members  present. 
Adjourned  to  meet  subject  to  the  call  of  its  president. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
CUNARD  ROYAL  MAIL  STEAMER  "SCYTHIA," 

At  Sea,  Monday,  October  29,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.  at  the  call  of  its  president.    All  members  present. 
After  discussion,  the  Board  decided  to  proceed  on  Tuesday,  November  6,  to  inspect 
the  navy-yard,  New  York,  and  the  arsenals  at  Frankford,  Pa.  and  Rock  Island,  111. 
At  meridian  adjourned  to  meet  Tuesday,  November  6,  at  11.15  a.  m.  at  the  navy- 
yard,  New  York. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
New  York,  N.  T.,  Wednesday,  October  31, 1883. 
By  direction  of  the  president,  sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  214,215.) 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
Navy-yard,  N.  Y.,  Tuesday,  November  6,  1883. 

Board  met  at  11  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 

Examined  the  navy-yard  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the  advantages  of  this  lo- 
cation for  a  Government  foundry. 

After  discussion  and  due  consideration  of  the  requirements  indicated  by  the  Board 
as  a  standard  of  reference,  the  Board  reserved  its  decision  in  the  case  of  this  navy- 
yard  until  further  informed  of  the  characteristics  of  other  points  to  be  visited  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  president's  order. 

At  3  p.  m.  the  Board  adjourned  to  meet  in  Frankford,  Pa.,  Wednesday,  November 
7,  at  11  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
Frankford  Arsenal,  Pennsylvania,  Wednesday,  November  7,  1883. 

Board  met  at  11  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 

Examined  the  arsenal  here  for  the  purpose  of  determining  the  advantage,  of  this 
location  for  a  Government  foundry.  After  discussion  and  due  consideration  of  the 
requirements  indicated  by  the  Board  as  a  standard  of  reference,  the  Board  reserved 
its  decision  in  the  case  of  this  arsenal  until  further  informed  of  the  characteristics  of 
other  points  to  be  visited  in  accordance  with  the  President's  order. 

At  2  p.  m.  the  Board  adjourned  to  meet  at  Rock  Island,  111.,  Saturday,  November 
10,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

Bock  Island,  III,  Saturday,  November  10,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Visited  and  examined  the  Rock  Island  Arsenal  for  the  purpose  of  determining 
the  advantages  of  this  location  for  a  Government  foundry.    After  discussion  and  due 


86  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

consideration  of  the  requirements  indicated  by  the  Board  as  a  standard  of  reference, 
the  Board  reserved  its  decision  in  the  case  of  this  arsenal  until  further  informed  of  the 
characteristics  of  other  points  to  be  visited,  in  accordance  with  the  President's  order. 
At  5  p.  m.  the  Board  adjourned,  to  meet  Tuesday,  November  20,  in  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  at  11  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Tuesday,  November  20, 1883. 

Board  met  at  11  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  All  members  present  except  Capt. 
E.  O.  Matthews,  United  States  Navy  (absent  on  account  of  steamer  detained  by  fog), 
and  Col.  T.  G.  Baylor,  United  States  Army  (absent  on  account  of  sickness). 

Filed  communications.     (File  Book  A,  pp.  59-66,  and  File  Book  B,  pp.  58-60.) 

Sent  communication.     (Letter  Book,  p.  117.) 

After  discussion  the  Board  adjourned  at  4.30  p.  m.,  to  meet  to-morrow,  Wednesday, 
the  21st  instant,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Wednesday,  November  21,  1883. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

All  members  present  except  Colonel  Baylor,  United  States  Army  (absent  on  account 
of  sickness). 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  read  and  examine  a  preliminary  draft  of  its  report. 

The  following  resolutions  were  adopted : 

It  is  inexpedient  for  the  Government  to  undertake  the  manufacture  of  the  steel  for 
modern  cannon. 

It  is  desirable  to  provide  Government  factory  facilities  on  a  sufficient  scale  to  per- 
form the  work  of  establishing  standards,  of  making  experimental  guns,  and  of  fab- 
ricating cannon  on  a  moderate  scale,  looking  forward,  however,  to  encouraging  private 
establishments  to  embark  upon  this  fabrication  under  the  inspection  of  Government 
officers,  as  at  present. 

It  is  inexpedient  to  provide  a  single  Government  factory ;  two  are  essential — one 
for  the  Army  and  one  for  the  Navy. 

That  on  the  receipt  of  price-lists  now  awaited  from  abroad,  the  steel  manufacturers 
shall  be  notified,  as  far  as  practicable,  of  the  probable  cost  of  plant,  tools,  &c.,  nec- 
essary for  the  manufacture  of  steel  for  cannon,  including  forging  and  tempering,  and 
for  the  fabrication  of  the  finished  gun  j  and  that  they  be  requested  to  communicate 
to  the  Board  what  size  of  contract  for  guns  or  gun  material  will  justify  them  in  under- 
taking the  production  either  of  the  material  alone  or  of  the  finished  gun. 

The  Board  then  proceeded  to  consider  the  selection  of  two  sites  to  be  recommended 
for  Government  gun  factories,  and  decided  upon  the  Watervliet  Arsenal,  West  Troy, 
N.  Y.,  for  the  purposes  of  the  Army,  and  the  Washington  Navy-Yard,  D.  C.,  for  the 
purposes  of  the  Navy. 

Received  communication.    (File  Book  A,  p.  67.) 

The  Board  at  4  p.  m.  adjourned  to  meet  subject  to  the  call  of  its  president. 


%  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 

1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Tuesday,  January  8, 1884. 

Board  met  at  1  p.  m.,  pursuant  to  call  of  its  president.  All  members  present  except 
Maj.  S.  S.  Elder,  United  States  Army,  absent  (steamer  detained  by  ice). 

Received  and  filed  communications.  (File  Book  A,  pp.  68-76,  and  File  Book  B,  pp. 
61-63). 

Sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  228-231.) 

The  president  of  the  Board  submitted  a  draft  of  the  report.  Engaged  revising  same 
until  4  p.  m.,  when  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Wednesday,  January  9,  at  10  a.  m. 


APPENDICES.  87 

GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Wednesday,  January  9, 1884. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
After  further  consideration   of  the  resolutions  adopted  November  21, -the  Board 
deemed  it  inexpedient  to  furnish,  before  the  publication  of  its  report,  the  information 
therein  indicated. 

Engaged  revising  draft  of  report  until  4.30  p.  in.,  when  adjournment  to  meet  to- 
morrow, Thursday,  January  10,  at  10  a.m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Thursday,  January  10,  1884. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Received  and  filed  communications.     (File  Book  A,  p.  79.) 

Engaged  revising  draft  of  report  until  4  p.  m.,  when  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow, 
Friday,  January  11,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Friday,  January  11,  1884. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Received  and  filed  communications.     (File  Book  A,  pp.  77-81,  and  File  Book  B,  pp. 
64,65.) 

Sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  232-238.) 

Col.  T.  G.  Baylor,  United  States  Army,  was  excused  from  attendance  on  account  of 
serious  illness  in  his  family. 

Engaged  revising  draft  of  report  until  5  p.  m.,  when  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow, 
Saturday,  January  12,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Saturday,  January  12,  1884. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present  except  Col. 
T.  G.  Baylor,  United  States  Army,  absent  on  account  of  serious  illness  in  his  family. 
Received  and  tiled  communications.     (File  Book  A,  pp.  82-84.) 
Sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  239-241.) 

Engaged  in  revising  draft  of  report  until  4.30  p.  m.,  when  adjourned  to  meet  Mon- 
day, January  14,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PJL., 

Monday,  January  14,  1884. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.  All  members  present. 
Messrs.  William  P.  Hunt,  G.  Paulding,  and  T.  Davis,  representing  the  firms  of  the 
South  Boston  Iron  Works  and  the  West  Point  Foundry  Association,  appeared  before 
the  Board  and  nubmitted  a  verbal  response  to  the  circular  letter  addressed  them  by  the 
Board  May  1,  1883.  The  Board  requested  that  they  would  submit  their  proposition  in 
writing,  which  they  agreed  to  do. 

Engaged  revising  draft  of  report  until  4.30  p.  m.,  when  adjourned  to  meet  to-mor- 
row, Tuesday,  January  15,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Tuesday,  January  15,  1884. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Received  and  filed  communications.    (File  Book  A,  pp.  85,  86.) 
Engaged  revising  draft  of  report  until  4.30  p.  m.,  when  adjourned  to  meet  to-mor- 
row, Wednesday,  January  16,  at  10  a.  m. 


88  REPORT  OF  GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD. 

GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PJNE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Wednesday,  January  16,  1884. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Received  and  filed  communication.     (File  Book  A,  p.  87.) 

Engaged  revising  draft  of  report  until  4.30  p.  m.,  when  adjourned  to  meet  to-mor- 
row, Thursday,  January  17,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Thursday,  January  17,  1884. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Engaged  revising  draft  of  report  until  4  p.  m.,  when  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow, 
Friday,  January  18,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Friday,  January  18,  1884. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Engaged  revising  draft  of  report  until  4  p.  m.,  when  adjourned  to  meet  subject  to 
call  of  its  president. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Saturday,  January  19,  1884. 

By  direction  of  president  of  the  Board,  sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp. 
242,243.) 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Thursday,  January  31,  1884. 

Board  met  at  1  p.  m.,  at  the  call  of  its  president.    All  members  present. 
Read  and  filed  communications.     (File  Book  A,  pp.  88-91a.) 
Sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  244  a,  b.) 

Engaged  revising  report  until  4.30  p.m.,  when  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Fri- 
day, February  1,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Friday,  February  1,  1884. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 

Received  and  filed  communications.     (File  Book  A,  pp.  92, 93. ) 

Sent  communication.     (Letter-Book,  p.  244. ) 

Edward  Y.  Townsend,  president,  and  Powell  Stackhouse,  vice-president  of  the 
Cambria  Iron  Company,  appeared  before  the  Board  to  call  its  attention  to  the  capacity 
and  quality  of  the  Cambria  steel  casting  plant,  and  to  ask  the  Board  for  information 
that  would  assist  in  preparing  a  reply  to  the  Board's  interrogatories  of  May  1,  1883. 
They  were  informed  that  all  the  information  the  Board  had  to  communicate  would  be 
found  embodied  in  its  report  soon  to  be  issued,  and  were  requested  to  submit  in  writ- 
ing any  statement  they  wished  to  make  in  relation  to  the  Cambria  works. 

Engaged  revising  report  until  4.30  p.  m.,  when  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Sat- 
urday, February  2,  at  10  a.  m. 


APPENDICES.  89 

GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINK  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Saturday,  February  2,  1884. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  in.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Received  and  filed  communication,     (file  Book  A,  p.  94.) 
Sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  245,246.) 

Engaged  revising  report  until  3  p.  in.,  when  adjourned  to  meet  subject  to  the  call  of 
its  president. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA,  PA., 

Thursday,  February  7,  1884. 

Board  met  at  1.30  p.  in.,  at  the  call  of  its  president.     All  members  present. 
Received  communications.     (File  Book  A,  p.  95.) 

Engaged  revising  report  until  4.15  p.  in.,  when  adjourned  to  meet  to-morrow,  Fri- 
day, February  8,  at  10  a.  m. 


GUN  FOUNDRY  BOARD, 
1727  PINE  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA, 

Friday,  February  8,  1884. 

Board  met  at  10  a.  m.,  pursuant  to  adjournment.     All  members  present. 
Received  communications.     (File  Book  A,  pp.  96,  97.) 
Sent  communications.     (Letter  Book,  pp.  247  a,  b,  c,  h.) 

Considered  the  advantages  of  the  site  owned  by  the  Government  at  Harper's  Ferry, 
Va.,  formerly  occupied  as  an  armory. 

Engaged  revising  report  until  2.30  p.  m.,  when  it  was  adopted  and  the  Board  ad- 
journed sine  die. 


NAVY  DEPARTMENT, 

Washington,  D.  C.,  Saturday,  February  9,  1884. 

By  direction  of  the  president  of  the  Board  filed  communications  (File  Book  A,  p. 
98),  and  sent  communications  (Letter  Book,  pp.  247  d,  e). 


NAVY  DEPARTMENT, 

Washington,  D.  C.,  Tuesday,  February  12,  1884. 

By  direction  of  tlie  president  of  the  Board  filed  communications  (File  Book  A,  p. 
99),  and  sent  communications  (Letter  Book,  pp.  247  f,  g). 


NAVY  DEPARTMENT, 

Washington,  D.  C.,  Saturday,  February  16,  1884. 

By  direction  of  the  president  of  the  Board  sent  communication  (Letter  Book,  p. 
2471),  and  delivered  report  and  communications  (Letter  Book,  pp.  261  a,  b)  to  the  hon- 
orable Secretary  of  the  Navy  for  transmission  to  the  President. 

Lieutenant  W.  H.  JAQUES, 
United  States  Navy,  Member  and  Secretary  of  the  Board. 


11.  Ex.  97 


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